Stuck with My Enemy Protector: A Small Town Opposites Attract Sweet Romance

by Evelyn Tanner

We clash as seatmates on a flight to Maui.
Then we share an Airbnb…and the walls are way too thin.

I’m heading home for my bestie’s wedding-slash-reunion
when a rambutan allergy almost knocks me out at LAX.

Cue calm, gorgeous, gentleman doctor.
Saves the day... then disappears like it’s no big deal.

Next thing I know, we’re seatmates.
Bumpy flight. One armrest. All the tension.
I figured that was it.

Turns out, he’s the groom’s best friend.
My last-minute Airbnb roommate.
And my unexpected assistant when the wedding photographer bails.

We clash over everything from lighting to shot lists.
But he talks me through skydiving,
learns the hula just to make me laugh,
and somewhere between a slow dance and a sunset kiss...
I fall. Hard.

Now the wedding week is ending.
He’s ready for roots and forever.
I’ve always chased freedom.

Every time someone gets too close,
My walls practically build themselves.

If I don’t risk the freedom I thought I needed…
I might lose the only man who finally feels like home.

Stuck with My Enemy Protector is a fun, flirty, heart-melting read with extra swoon and no steam—just sparks, smiles, kisses, and a sweet HEA. Each book in the Aloha Ever After interconnected series is a standalone and can be read in any order. Escape to the sun-soaked, fictional beach town of Makakoa, Maui, where sparks fly, hearts melt, and summer love is always in the air.

149 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 29, 2025

About the author

Evelyn Tanner loves all things sweet romance with socially awkward heroines and charming gentleman heroes—stories that melt your heart. Happily-ever-afters are a must. While crafting her stories, she loves to have green tea and sweet treats within reach. When she’s not working on her books, she enjoys cooking up something (hopefully) delicious in her kitchen, chasing her son at the playground, and hiking to soak up nature. Evelyn lives in California with her loving husband and adorable son.

Reviews

[Erin Besteman · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was the worst! They’re not even enemies!!!!!!

[Emily Pennington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alexis and Stephen . . .

Alexis is rushing to LAX for a flight to Maui where her best friend’s wedding will be held. Almost losing her expensive camera in the cab, she needs to calm herself down. So she concentrates on the interesting guy in front of her. She heads to the restaurant and tries a tropical drink she was not familiar with, feeling an odd tingle on her tongue. She feels strange and bumps into the man she had seen earlier. He happens to be a doctor and sees her allergic reaction, giving her a pill to counteract it. Then the flight to Maui boards.

Stephen, the groom’s best friend and her doctor rescuer, spots his friends and notices Alexis standing with them. Then Nathan and Mari give him the bad news that he needs to share an Airbnb with Alexis. Will she be okay with that arrangement? And Stephen’s days of service are still not apparently over when he has to assist Alexis take photos since the wedding photographer, Lex, went to Kauai -- by mistake? Although Alexis photographs landscapes and ad products and is not a wedding photographer, she agrees to help and that’s when Mari assigned Stephen as her assistant (since he was known as “Shutterbug” in school). Unfortunately, they seem to disagree over just about everything. Nevertheless, he’s still fun to be with and she will need to decide if she wants to pursue a relationship with him or remain single and lose someone very special. What choice will she make?

[Sheri Bolinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good book from start to end! Alexis and Stephen have a great meet-cute at the airport (embarrassing for Alexis but memorable!) but thank goodness Stephen was there. From that moment on, these two get thrown together during their best friend's wedding. They have a great connection though. I love how they Hawaiian beauty, both for the land and culture are shown throughout this book. It made me truly feel connected to the characters and location. Alexis and Stephen were so great together. You felt their joys and their fears. I couldn't help but root for them and hope they could work everything out in the end. Finding someone who feels like home is rare, no matter how long you've known them!

[Nicola “Shortbookthyme” · Rating 4 out of 5]

✅My thoughts:
I loved getting to know Alexis and Stephen. Their initial running into each other so funny 😆
The book was a fast read that certainly kept me engaged. From the first chapter, I knew I was going to enjoy getting to know Alexis and Stephen.
I wanted them to get together and see where it took us.
🩷Vacation
💜Small town
🤎Enemies to lovers
💙Unexpected Airbnb roommates
🩵Swoon worthy moments with sunset kisses
Highly recommended for fans of sweet clean stories
#shortbookthyme
@shortbookthyme

[Cindy Burrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stuck with My Enemy Protector is a heartwarming story of love and drama. Our story begins with Alexia on her way to LAX to catch a flight home to Maui for her best friend’s wedding. She’s a photographer, who discovers she’s left her brand new expensive camera in the cab. She hurries out to see if he’s still there. Luckily, traffic is backed up and she gets her camera. Back inside the terminal, she tries to calm her nerves down. She has her camera but feels overwhelmed by sensory overload. Alexia notices the man in front of her in line. “His presence is magnetic, like the kind of guy who doesn’t have to try-he’s just naturally compelling.” As he shifts, she gets a look at his face and her heart flutters again.
After finally locating her boarding gate, she decides to check out the restaurant. She needs something relaxing and sugary. She decides to get a rambutan, a tropical drink she’s never had. She likes the taste. “It tingles a little on my tongue, but it hits the sport and totally satisfies my sugar craving.” As she gets up to leave, her vision feels a little cloudy, but she thinks she might need more sugar. Alexia is sure she has everything under control until she bumps into someone. “Paper scatter into the air like startled birds.” She looks up and it’s him, the same man she noticed in line. He apologizes and notices her cheeks look flushed. Alexia looks at him, but she’s not sure of the look on her face. The man is genuinely concerned for her. He asks if she’s eaten or had anything to drink. She tells him about the Rambutan she drank. He notices her lips are slightly swollen. She asks him who he is and luckily, he’s a doctor. She is exhibiting signs of a possible allergic reaction. Evidently, her lips remind him of a puffer fish. He gets her a glass of water and tells her to take the pill he gave her. An announcement comes over the loudspeaker that “This is the final boarding call for flight 747 to Maui, Hawaii.” He tells her he must go. Alexia is rattled by his leaving; he just helped her through a medical emergency and leaves. What if the medicine he gave her wasn’t enough?
She finally gets on the plane and looks for her seat….”No. Freaking. Way.” It’s him, the guy that gave her the pill, “reading a medical journal like he didn’t just casually save me from an allergic meltdown ten minutes ago.” He glances up and says “Hello.” She’s in the aisle seat beside him. Alexia is still annoyed at him, but she’s also impressed by him. There’s some turbulence, and Alexia is frightened by this, but Stephen reaches across the aisle to calm her.
When the plane finally lands in Maui, he spots his friend Nathan and Mari…who just happen to be talking with woman from the plane. He calls out their names, they turn to greet him. He’s introduced to Alexis, who was Mari’s partner in crime through high school. Now, Stephen can’t believe this, he went to the same high school, how does he not recognize Alexis? As they are headed out of the airport, Nathan has one more thing to tell them. It seems as if the accommodations are a little short, so the two of them will be sharing an Airbnb.
Will Alexis and Stephen be able to stay in the same place? How can this possibly work out? Hmmm, is this a deliberate “setup” by Mari and Nathan? They will be staying together, helping their friends get things ready for the wedding, and be part of the wedding. Do not miss out on this wonderfully written story. It is an easy read and filled with drama, the unexpected, and how can anybody not like a story set in Maui?

[Debdutch · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Stuck with My Enemy Protector” by Evelyn Tanner

-A delightful, clean enemies-to-lovers romance perfect for a summer escape.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily sharing my honest opinion.
Alexis and Stephen’s romance starts with an allergy mishap and blooms under Hawaiian skies. Thrown together by fate and wedding plans, their chemistry is undeniable and sweet. With lovable characters and rich cultural detail, this story brings island charm to life.

A delightful, clean enemies-to-lovers romance perfect for a summer escape.

Am I the only person who has never heard of rambutan? I had to look it up.

[Ineta · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is undeniable attraction between Alexis and Stephen and their ways cross the more than once. They both are heading to the same wedding and their friends playing matchmakers by placing them in the same apartment.
It was entertaining, but also deep and emotional love story. None of them is brave enough to openly address their growing feelings. Will their friend support encourage them enough?
Wonderful characters and beautiful story line to enjoy.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lucia Valenzuela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alexis and Stephen have a great first meeting in the airport and end up seat mates on the same flight. Then they discover that they are to share the same Airbnb. And Alexis’s first glance at the Airbnb is memorable. Their interactions are witty and sometimes very emotional. I really enjoyed reading about some of the Hawaiian traditions and Mari’s wedding. Good story with interesting characters.
I received this book from the author and this is my voluntary, honest review.

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

They meet when she has a rambutan allergy attack that is not good for her but thanks to a doctor being close by everything works out fine. They kept being thrown together on the plane, sharing an airbnb and again when she needs an assistant for her photographing of the wedding pictures. It is a delightful story that had me connecting with the characters all throughout this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jessica S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarming

This is a lovey, heartwarming story. So, well written that I didn't notice time passing. I immediately started another of Evelyn's books. Those chores can wait.