Francesca ‘Frankie’ Davenport wanted to fly under the radar when she joined Mailbox, Inc, but when the CEO’s girlfriend takes her under her wing: there’s no place to hide.
When Frankie’s jackass manager becomes more than just an irritating nuisance, Julian Lockwood – Mailbox’s tall and deliciously inked security guard with an enormous heart – volunteers to have her back. But to protect Frankie, he’ll have to stay close. Too close.
What’s a little fake dating between friends, right?
Except Julian can’t stop imagining her bright orange hair splayed across his sheets and Frankie can’t forget how safe she feels wrapped up in his arms.
Suddenly, staying “just friends” is turning into a full-time job and no one wants to work overtime.
Author’s note: Chief-of-Security is book two in the Mailbox, Inc series, a steamy, fake dating, friends to lovers, workplace romance. This stand-alone story has swoony rescues, meddling teens, Pacific Northwest rain, and an HEA guaranteed.
Chief-of-Security by Fancy Roberts is a contemporary friends-to-lovers fake-relationship workplace romance told in first person dual POV. The story follows the relationship between software developer Francesca Davenport (aka Frankie) and her friend, Julian Lockwood, a single parent and security guard at the company where she works.
Frankie’s manager treats her differently than everybody else, and his behavior has become increasingly inappropriate, so she does her best to limit their interactions. As the only female developer on the team, she doesn’t want to draw any more attention to herself by submitting a complaint about his sexism. She just wants to fit in and do her job. After Julian comes to her rescue, they decide to fake a relationship, hoping it will protect Frankie from further harassment.
I loved Frankie and Julian’s story! The fake-relationship trope is one of my favorites, and Chief-of-Security did not disappoint. It was such a fun read, with plenty of chemistry, humor, and emotion to keep the pages turning. It was nice to catch up with Theo and Sophie, too. I especially enjoyed seeing Emma again, and her shenanigans with Liam, Julian’s son. Chief-of-Security was funny, steamy, and sweet. I’m looking forward to reading Lauren’s story.
Julian stole my heart from the very first word, and I swear to everything holy, I don’t want it back. He is by far one of my favorite book boyfriends ever and that will never change. Who doesn’t love a tattooed alpha with a heart of pure gold? And if you don’t—GREAT. More for me.
And FRANKIE. Her awkwardness and insecurity drove me up the wall sometimes, but I understood her heart and connected with her more than I expected to. Nobody is perfect, and she reminded me we’re all still worthy of love despite our flaws.
I DEVOURED this book. Seriously couldn’t put it down. I laughed—hard—and swooned even harder. I even teared up a bit at parts. This book had plenty of spice, angst, and plot to keep me hooked from start to finish. Can’t wait for the next book in the series! 😍
This is the second story in the 'Mailbox, Inc' series by Fancy Roberts. This story focuses on Frankie and Julian and is told over the course of 24 Chapters and an Epilogue. The thing with this book is that after Chapter 1 I was already addicted to the story as well as wanting to know more about both the main characters and every single background character invovled. From the minute readers begin this book their attention is grabbed as the two main characters are already known to each other. This means readers get to jump straight into the story as well as get a bit of background on Frankie and Julian. Now Frankie and Julian really are an opposites attract sort of romance one doesn't think they are enough while the other believes they are too much. At the start of this book there were a few things that readers will be curious about, one is the relationship between the main characters, Frankie and Julian. The other is solely focused on Julian's tattoos. To be fair I am not sure who was more curious about these tattoos at the beginning of the book me or Frankie. I was quite glad that this curiosity didn't kill the cat, and all is revealed later on in the book in a very delicious way. Throughout the very addicting book the point of view switches itself between Frankie and Julian. This is done in a very clear way, so readers are not confused. This also gives readers an inside look into the minds of both characters. This comes in handy when things start to kick off with the book plot. Now onto the part that was one of my favourites, the steamy scenes! Now let me tell you these steamy scenes were extra hot. There were a few scenes in the book, which was the right amount for this story. Now not all of these scenes were described in detail but the ones that were oh they were delicious. These scenes left me with the distinct impression that I kind of want Julian for myself and yes I am aware he will have to stay as book boyfriend. The story itself had great pacing meaning it didn't move the plot along too quickly that readers felt rushed. It also didn't drag the story out, readers weren't waiting for multiple chapters to pass before the main plot was going on. Something to be aware of when going to pick up this book is that I would recommend you carve out some solid uninterrupted reading time. This book will suck you in and refuse to let go until you have read every word it has to offer. I made the mistake of reading it during a work day. Stopping to actually get on with my day to day job was a form of torture! Overall this is a brilliantly addictive book that will hook readers in. Not only to the book but too the series as well. Trust me this reader has already brought the first book and can't wait to sink her teeth into the story.
Despite what Fancy may fear, I love Frankie. She's a down to earth, honest and super anxious geek and she's not afra... oh! Oh, yes, she's afraid of EVERYTHING. Everything except the brute-like man who makes her feel safe. If only he wasn't sooooo afraid of women's reactions to him, and of scaring everyone away, maybe he wouldn't feel like every time she withdraws because she feels less than, it's because he was too much and scared her away. Add in a douchebag who thinks women need protecting... yes, yes they do. From men like HIM! and you've got another Fancy Roberts winner!
Chief-of-Security by Fancy Roberts Overall Score ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Heat Level 🔥🔥🔥🔥
This was a super cute story with a lot of heat! Julian is everything you want in a book hero. Big, broody, alpha caveman. Frankie is...frustrating. She is very insecure and a recluse. She causes most of the strife in this book. That's just her personality and is necessary for the storyline. Honesty, that's the only reason I didn't give this story 5 stars. I wasn't the biggest fan of her character. Overall it was a great read!
Julian makes me wish it was my birthday every day……. Just saying. As an Oregonian I am a sucker for books that take place in the PNW, let alone my home state! I love a strong FMC and while I appreciate Frankies growth and where she came from growing up I missed the ooomph. Lauren in my favorite. Hands down, I have friends like her and they’re crazy and bookish and make my world whole. I love how relatable this book was and I appreciate Julian 😉
I was gutted when I got to the end of this and found no more books to download after it! I love romances. I love tropes. I loved the big man, tiny woman aspect of this. And I have NO WORDS for how much I adore the strong messages of consent running through both Fancy Roberts' books. Consent is sexy, y'all. Anyway, five HUGE and shining stars for this. Its gorgeous.
I devoured this book. It has it ALL: Spice and Story!
Character development is great, and although it is the second book…it can be read as a stand-alone! (and was by me)
Tropes: Fake dating Friends to Lovers Single Father Protective MMC
Fancy Roberts does a great job capturing the inner dialogue of the characters. The beginning of their story is a bit of a slow burn for me, but that sexual tension build up is great.
I would have given 5 stars, but I like a BIT more descriptive language with my spicy scenes. Personal preference maybe?
Oh Julian... you soft hearted, brooding protective hero you. The way you loved Frankie before she realized she was capable of love was so heartwarming. And Frankie... how relatable. The anxious, career driven, always overlooked girl who was "one of the boys" and didn't think she was able to even have a boyfriend who loved her. Enter: Julian. Glad she finally got the memo that shes loveable!!
I devoured this book in less than 24 hours. I love how Fancy captures the bone-deep essence of anxiety in Frankie and the Neanderthal chest-beating protector of Julian wrapped in a delicious Thor-like body. They're a great couple who were the last ones to know they belonged together!
The book waa okay. I got tired of the gloomy attitude of Frankie. She has serious issues which I'm not sure how Julian fell for her. I loved the 1st book in the series and I'm hoping the next book is better then this one.
This is a friends to lovers story about Fracesca aka Frankie and Julian. Single dad and security guard Julian is the epitome of a delicious book boyfriend - tattooed, large and in charge. Frankie is an insecure, introverted computer programmer. I wanted to smack her a bit, but I understand it’s just who she is. Julian and Frankie meet while working at Mailbox Inc. and become quick friends until Julian “saves” her from an overzealous coworker at a work party. Frankie once again finds herself in an uncomfortable position with her coworker and Julian swoops in to save the day. Their fake dating turns into the real thing, real quick. I loved that Julian fell so hard so fast… it seems that it takes the male characters to get there in other books. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series!
𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨 & 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙨: ▶ workplace, rom-com ▶ friends to lovers ▶ fake dating ▶ protective mmc ▶ single dad ▶ dual pov
𝙨𝙪𝙢𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙮 & 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬: 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗮 “𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗲” 𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 is a software developer and 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗸𝘄𝗼𝗼𝗱 is security guard at her company. she’s never wanted to stand out more than she already has; always being the only female in male-dominated spaces. julian is the opposite, standing tall at 6’7”, with his alpha-male personality (but deep down has the biggest heart). they’ve become friends since she starting working for Mailbox, Inc.
when Frankie’s manager continues to try and pursue her, much to her efforts to politely turn him down without making it a big deal (when it is), Julian proposes they fake date to get him to back off.
Julian’s protectiveness and wanting to keep Frankie safe was so sweet to read & the fact that Frankie did feel safe with him and trusted him was 🥹 i also liked how Julian let Frankie be in control (in more ways than one 😉)
i’d let Julian treat me like it was my birthday everyday 🎂🥳😏
-
this is the 2nd book in the Mailbox, Inc Series but can be read as a stand-alone; Book 1 is Bastard-in-Chief
Julian & Frankie’s story was everything I didn’t know I needed. The way these two souls found each other in a world that tried to tell them they would never be enough was exactly what love stories are made of. Frankie & Julian were flawed, complex, aggravating (Frankie, girl come on) but so freaking real and that is why I loved them 🥺 And Julian…oh my god Julian. He was just the absolute sweetest giant and my heart couldn’t take it 😍