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Beware of Dog
As the youngest of ten half-siblings, Cassandra Green worries she’ll always be seen as the “baby” of the family, even though she’s about to turn twenty. Life as an art student in New York is peaceful, steady, and with the club at its most powerful and settled, Cass ventures deeper into civilian life, trying to carve a niche for herself among her fellow students. But when her roommate is assaulted, she turns to her assigned Lean Dog protector, Shep, for support.
When he was first placed on Raven Blake’s security detail almost three years ago, Shepherd wanted no part of looking after her teenage sister. Now, though, he’s finding any excuse to stay in Manhattan to keep an eye on Cass. When she lands in the crosshairs of a rich and influential family, he realizes his feelings aren’t just protective anymore.
Book Six in the Lean Dogs Legacy series takes place after Lean Dogs Legacy Book Five, Nothing More, and Dartmoor Series Book Ten, Lord Have Mercy.
When he was first placed on Raven Blake’s security detail almost three years ago, Shepherd wanted no part of looking after her teenage sister. Now, though, he’s finding any excuse to stay in Manhattan to keep an eye on Cass. When she lands in the crosshairs of a rich and influential family, he realizes his feelings aren’t just protective anymore.
Book Six in the Lean Dogs Legacy series takes place after Lean Dogs Legacy Book Five, Nothing More, and Dartmoor Series Book Ten, Lord Have Mercy.
463 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 11, 2025
19 people are currently reading
157 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 13, 2025
4.5 Stars
Lauren Gilley is a ride or die author for me, especially when it's anything related to Dartmoor and the Lean Dogs. I love this world and these characters Gilley has created. They are always themselves...they never change from one book to the next, which is something less skilled authors struggle with. But Gilley is just so good and it's so obvious she knows her world and characters inside and out.
So it's no surprise that I enjoyed this immensely.
Gilley writes an age gap like no one else and I loved Cass and Shep. I also loved that we got to see so many of our favorite characters from the past.
Reading anything from this world is like a warm blanket. And I can't get enough.
Lauren Gilley is a ride or die author for me, especially when it's anything related to Dartmoor and the Lean Dogs. I love this world and these characters Gilley has created. They are always themselves...they never change from one book to the next, which is something less skilled authors struggle with. But Gilley is just so good and it's so obvious she knows her world and characters inside and out.
So it's no surprise that I enjoyed this immensely.
Gilley writes an age gap like no one else and I loved Cass and Shep. I also loved that we got to see so many of our favorite characters from the past.
Reading anything from this world is like a warm blanket. And I can't get enough.
July 25, 2025
3.5 stars. I’m rounding this up to 4 stars because Lauren Gilley is superior to 99% of authors out there, so even her “meh” stuff is better than an ordinary 3 star book. But, this wasn’t my favorite from her – it wasn’t bad either, it was mostly enjoyable. It was fine.
This is about Cass, the youngest of the unusual 10-sibling Walsh family. She’s 19/20. She’s trying to be a normal college student doing art at NYU, but that's complicated when her 9 siblings are part of a notorious outlaw MC. Since she's a club kid in the Lean Dogs MC, she has a MC bodyguard, Shep (46).
That’s right, their age gap is 26 years. I LIKE a problematic age gap – and Lauren Gilley writes them well, like in her best book, Fearless. But in this book, “she’s 20 and he’s 46” was too much. It DID seem weird and a bit off-putting that this 46 year old man was immature and didn’t really have other friends outside of Cass. I could never really get onboard with finding Shep that appealing. This author has sold me on age gaps that are MORE problematic (like Mercy and Ava, or Ghost and Maggie. The age gap was smaller, but the heroines were younger, making it dicier) but this one just didn't totally click, for me me.
The romance wasn't bad, but it was meh. I wished he was more like, 37. That would have been easier to swallow, while still staying a semi scandalous "she wants this much older man who's in the club??" plot line. I couldn't stop thinking about how OLD he'll be when she's still young. Ava won't experience that; Mercy being 13 years is still a sexy age gap, without crossing the line over to, "wow, he'll be so old when she's still young."
I pictured Shep as Jon Bernthal (especially since Cass was doing some artwork on “The Punisher”). His personality was not bad, but just Fine for this series. He didn’t have the charisma of Mercy, or the quiet intensity of Michael or Walsh. Shep was more of an Aiden or Colin type. And I don’t think anyone would say that Aidan or Colin are the best heroes in this world. They're fine.
That said, the rest of the plot was decent. This is part of the Dartmoor series – the best MC series out there – but it’s part of the spinoff series -- where the books are decent, but not as good as the main series.
In some of the middle books, like in Prodigal Son, the author made the plot swerve into weird James Bond territory, and made the villains this cabal of sex traffickers. Spy plots and overly elaborate villains aren't her strong suit. This series is best when the villain is focused and not too extravagant. Like, the best villains were an evil rival club and an evil mayor (like in Fearless), evil drug dealing rapist relatives (like in Price of Angels), an evil land developer (like in The Skeleton King), or an evil FBI agent (like in Lord Have Mercy).
So in this book, she returned to her roots and leaned into her strength: the villain is an evil college student. That's simple enough, nothing overly James Bond about it, while still having room to spiral out and get a little complicated, and seem like a real threat. He’s a fellow student at NYU who tries to rape Cass, and he’s got a rich family with some connections. So, the main plot conflict is him and his family and their allies against Cass and her MC.
This author is so good at making things feel realistic. This college student isn't a typical jock, like a lazier writer would do. He’s an artsy, beanie wearing “cool guy,” not the most handsome guy in the room, but he’s popular because he’s got a mystique, and he’s from a rich and connected background. That’s so real. I’ve met versions of this guy before.
Since this is about Cass, the main other Dartmoor characters in this are the Walsh family, although of course Mercy also gets a scene or 2. He’s the best character in this world, and the author seems to know that, she always delivers working him into every book. (Weirdly, though, Michelle and Candy aren’t in this. Why did the Walsh family gathering exclude Michelle?). I like Walsh and Emmie, and I don't mind the other Walsh siblings, but otherwise, I’ve never been as interested in the Walsh family as the author clearly is. I prefer the Lecuyer family, any day.
But, it’s always great to spend time in this world, and to spend time in the hands of such a great writer. So, even a kinda “meh” book in this world is still better than a lot of other books from other authors.
This is about Cass, the youngest of the unusual 10-sibling Walsh family. She’s 19/20. She’s trying to be a normal college student doing art at NYU, but that's complicated when her 9 siblings are part of a notorious outlaw MC. Since she's a club kid in the Lean Dogs MC, she has a MC bodyguard, Shep (46).
That’s right, their age gap is 26 years. I LIKE a problematic age gap – and Lauren Gilley writes them well, like in her best book, Fearless. But in this book, “she’s 20 and he’s 46” was too much. It DID seem weird and a bit off-putting that this 46 year old man was immature and didn’t really have other friends outside of Cass. I could never really get onboard with finding Shep that appealing. This author has sold me on age gaps that are MORE problematic (like Mercy and Ava, or Ghost and Maggie. The age gap was smaller, but the heroines were younger, making it dicier) but this one just didn't totally click, for me me.
The romance wasn't bad, but it was meh. I wished he was more like, 37. That would have been easier to swallow, while still staying a semi scandalous "she wants this much older man who's in the club??" plot line. I couldn't stop thinking about how OLD he'll be when she's still young. Ava won't experience that; Mercy being 13 years is still a sexy age gap, without crossing the line over to, "wow, he'll be so old when she's still young."
I pictured Shep as Jon Bernthal (especially since Cass was doing some artwork on “The Punisher”). His personality was not bad, but just Fine for this series. He didn’t have the charisma of Mercy, or the quiet intensity of Michael or Walsh. Shep was more of an Aiden or Colin type. And I don’t think anyone would say that Aidan or Colin are the best heroes in this world. They're fine.
That said, the rest of the plot was decent. This is part of the Dartmoor series – the best MC series out there – but it’s part of the spinoff series -- where the books are decent, but not as good as the main series.
In some of the middle books, like in Prodigal Son, the author made the plot swerve into weird James Bond territory, and made the villains this cabal of sex traffickers. Spy plots and overly elaborate villains aren't her strong suit. This series is best when the villain is focused and not too extravagant. Like, the best villains were an evil rival club and an evil mayor (like in Fearless), evil drug dealing rapist relatives (like in Price of Angels), an evil land developer (like in The Skeleton King), or an evil FBI agent (like in Lord Have Mercy).
So in this book, she returned to her roots and leaned into her strength: the villain is an evil college student. That's simple enough, nothing overly James Bond about it, while still having room to spiral out and get a little complicated, and seem like a real threat. He’s a fellow student at NYU who tries to rape Cass, and he’s got a rich family with some connections. So, the main plot conflict is him and his family and their allies against Cass and her MC.
This author is so good at making things feel realistic. This college student isn't a typical jock, like a lazier writer would do. He’s an artsy, beanie wearing “cool guy,” not the most handsome guy in the room, but he’s popular because he’s got a mystique, and he’s from a rich and connected background. That’s so real. I’ve met versions of this guy before.
Since this is about Cass, the main other Dartmoor characters in this are the Walsh family, although of course Mercy also gets a scene or 2. He’s the best character in this world, and the author seems to know that, she always delivers working him into every book. (Weirdly, though, Michelle and Candy aren’t in this. Why did the Walsh family gathering exclude Michelle?). I like Walsh and Emmie, and I don't mind the other Walsh siblings, but otherwise, I’ve never been as interested in the Walsh family as the author clearly is. I prefer the Lecuyer family, any day.
But, it’s always great to spend time in this world, and to spend time in the hands of such a great writer. So, even a kinda “meh” book in this world is still better than a lot of other books from other authors.
August 23, 2025
You know, I’ve read 19 books by Lauren Gilley this year, and you would surely think that there would be a dud in the bunch. One book that didn’t quite hit the mark for me. I’m here to tell you that every single one of her books is good. She really doesn’t have a bad one in her backlist.
Beware of Dog is the final installment in the Dartmoor + Lean Dogs Legacy world, and I’m not lying when I say that I could read at least 10 more books about these characters and never be bored with her epic storytelling and characters that feel like family now. I need to be patched in!
What can I say except that Lauren proved me wrong again? I didn’t think I would enjoy Cass and Shep’s story as much as some of the others. Cass has been a little immature in past books (considering her age and where she is in her family lineup) and Shep hasn’t been trying to win any awards for man of the year. And to no one’s surprise, Lauren made me love these two and believe in their love. Cass and Shep forever! And yes, it really is a 26 year age gap. Probably the biggest (contemporary romance) age gap I’ve ever read, and it worked really, really well.
“Cass.” His voice was hoarse with emotion, but steady; his eyes were dry, but big and puppy-dog sad with devotion. “I’m forty-six, and nobody’s ever loved me before. The guys in the club don’t even like me.” His hands found her hips, thumbs pressing into the grooves where hip met thigh, warm even through the fabric of her jeans. His head tilted, imploring. “It’s like you said before, yeah?” One corner of his mouth hitched upward. “You’re my best friend. I’ve never felt this way about another person, not in my whole life.”
Beware of Dog is the final installment in the Dartmoor + Lean Dogs Legacy world, and I’m not lying when I say that I could read at least 10 more books about these characters and never be bored with her epic storytelling and characters that feel like family now. I need to be patched in!
What can I say except that Lauren proved me wrong again? I didn’t think I would enjoy Cass and Shep’s story as much as some of the others. Cass has been a little immature in past books (considering her age and where she is in her family lineup) and Shep hasn’t been trying to win any awards for man of the year. And to no one’s surprise, Lauren made me love these two and believe in their love. Cass and Shep forever! And yes, it really is a 26 year age gap. Probably the biggest (contemporary romance) age gap I’ve ever read, and it worked really, really well.
“Cass.” His voice was hoarse with emotion, but steady; his eyes were dry, but big and puppy-dog sad with devotion. “I’m forty-six, and nobody’s ever loved me before. The guys in the club don’t even like me.” His hands found her hips, thumbs pressing into the grooves where hip met thigh, warm even through the fabric of her jeans. His head tilted, imploring. “It’s like you said before, yeah?” One corner of his mouth hitched upward. “You’re my best friend. I’ve never felt this way about another person, not in my whole life.”
August 14, 2025
Review to come, 🤔
September 6, 2025
The more I read these kinda books with big age gap, the more I ask why. Why is it necessary to have a 20years+ age gap, when it can just be 10. Or 5. The difference between 20 and 25 is already great enough. Do we have to make it 20 and 42?
I’m 20 right now and honestly 1) can’t imagine how gross it would be to date someone even 10 years older 2) don’t get why a 40something yo man who’s such a catch can’t date someone his age 3) thinks it’s gross that he knew-knew her when she was a teen.
Makes me wonder if these authors do it because of their target audience: middle age women (or so I assume). Because it would make sense for 40 yo women to fantasise about their lives when it was easier and society treated them better (20), but don’t see the issue of in their younger selves dating a 40 yo man because it’s their age.
Anyway. Just my 2 cents. Besides that the book is quite decent. I’ve read cringier and worst written books before.
I’m 20 right now and honestly 1) can’t imagine how gross it would be to date someone even 10 years older 2) don’t get why a 40something yo man who’s such a catch can’t date someone his age 3) thinks it’s gross that he knew-knew her when she was a teen.
Makes me wonder if these authors do it because of their target audience: middle age women (or so I assume). Because it would make sense for 40 yo women to fantasise about their lives when it was easier and society treated them better (20), but don’t see the issue of in their younger selves dating a 40 yo man because it’s their age.
Anyway. Just my 2 cents. Besides that the book is quite decent. I’ve read cringier and worst written books before.
August 18, 2025
I enjoyed this book immensely.
Reading Cass and Shep’s story felt like going back home to family and dear friends:
Dartmoor and the Lean Dogs.
« Damn. He guessed he loved her. He knew he did. Of course. But he guessed he was in love with her. He’d never experienced that before, and so it had taken him a stupidly long time to realize that was what he was doing: falling. Like an actual, physical fall, he expected the landing to hurt. »
Reading Cass and Shep’s story felt like going back home to family and dear friends:
Dartmoor and the Lean Dogs.
« Damn. He guessed he loved her. He knew he did. Of course. But he guessed he was in love with her. He’d never experienced that before, and so it had taken him a stupidly long time to realize that was what he was doing: falling. Like an actual, physical fall, he expected the landing to hurt. »
July 23, 2025
I love these books but this wasn’t one I’d say I loved. We knew Cass, kind of but Shep was an unknown. Maybe it’s because I have a 19 y/o daughter and the thought of a 46 y/o boyfriend makes me cringe. I want to see other stories, where’s upstate’s books? Kat or Prince?
July 20, 2025
It was good to be in the Dawg world again and I loved revisiting the gang in this book.
The beginning was scary in that I was do worried Cass was going to get raped. After attending a party with the clique she wanted to fit in, Cass was handed a red solo cup that was tainted. She was fortunate to have enough sense that something was not right after three sips of whatever she was handed. Thankfully she was conscience enough to get ahold of help in the form of Shep since she didn't want to bother Raven and Toly. It was so good to see Raven and Toly had had baby Natalie, something I never thought Raven as wanting. It was a great start to the book as that is the beginning of the story line for the entire book. Perfect setting that evolves into what I thought was a great segue book of the youngest Devin Green offspring.
After guarding Cassandra Green for 3 years, with and without direction, it was inevitable that Shep would fall in love with her. And her with him. The incident brought out the protective nature Shep when it came to Cass and the story evolved from there. Cass' roommate, Jamie, and friend was very upset with Cass the following day because she though she could get in with the 'in' crowd in school through Cass. The roommate then took it upon herself to get into the 'in' crowd on her own which inevitably got her in a worse predicament. Cass encourages her roommate to report the issue to the police. Cass is confident reporting the matter to the police since Pongo's girlfriend Melissa is a sex crimes detective.
Raven 👑 shines like she always does and is supportive of Cass. Having her back and giving her the best direction. It was so good to see all of Deving Green's offspring show up for her and they are so great together as always. The banter is awesome of course. The only disappointment was that Chelle (Michelle) was not there 😟. But otherwise I thoroughly enjoyed their presence throughout.
Not wanting to give too much of the story away because it is so worth the read but after Shep and Cass were shot the gang jumped into assassin mode. I am happy to report that our favorite monster (I really don't like to call him that since I absolutely love him) Mercy came to join the party. Of course it made sense since Toly was there to help in LHM. Like all her books, Lauren has twists and turns throughout the book that make this book a page turner. I seriously got carried away reading this and couldn't put it down.
The beginning was scary in that I was do worried Cass was going to get raped. After attending a party with the clique she wanted to fit in, Cass was handed a red solo cup that was tainted. She was fortunate to have enough sense that something was not right after three sips of whatever she was handed. Thankfully she was conscience enough to get ahold of help in the form of Shep since she didn't want to bother Raven and Toly. It was so good to see Raven and Toly had had baby Natalie, something I never thought Raven as wanting. It was a great start to the book as that is the beginning of the story line for the entire book. Perfect setting that evolves into what I thought was a great segue book of the youngest Devin Green offspring.
After guarding Cassandra Green for 3 years, with and without direction, it was inevitable that Shep would fall in love with her. And her with him. The incident brought out the protective nature Shep when it came to Cass and the story evolved from there. Cass' roommate, Jamie, and friend was very upset with Cass the following day because she though she could get in with the 'in' crowd in school through Cass. The roommate then took it upon herself to get into the 'in' crowd on her own which inevitably got her in a worse predicament. Cass encourages her roommate to report the issue to the police. Cass is confident reporting the matter to the police since Pongo's girlfriend Melissa is a sex crimes detective.
Raven 👑 shines like she always does and is supportive of Cass. Having her back and giving her the best direction. It was so good to see all of Deving Green's offspring show up for her and they are so great together as always. The banter is awesome of course. The only disappointment was that Chelle (Michelle) was not there 😟. But otherwise I thoroughly enjoyed their presence throughout.
Not wanting to give too much of the story away because it is so worth the read but after Shep and Cass were shot the gang jumped into assassin mode. I am happy to report that our favorite monster (I really don't like to call him that since I absolutely love him) Mercy came to join the party. Of course it made sense since Toly was there to help in LHM. Like all her books, Lauren has twists and turns throughout the book that make this book a page turner. I seriously got carried away reading this and couldn't put it down.
July 17, 2025
Absolute perfection
Lauren Gilley writes stories that hook you in and keep you hooked until the very last word. This is Shep and Cassandra's story and is another perfect addition to an incredible series. Shep has been Cassie's protector for three years and we get to see how their relationship develops and grows in the best of ways. There's a strong storyline to match their growing relationship, which makes the book so addictive. If you've read the series you'll love seeing familiar faces and, if you haven't, I can't recommend this series or Lauren Gilley's writing highly enough!
Lauren Gilley writes stories that hook you in and keep you hooked until the very last word. This is Shep and Cassandra's story and is another perfect addition to an incredible series. Shep has been Cassie's protector for three years and we get to see how their relationship develops and grows in the best of ways. There's a strong storyline to match their growing relationship, which makes the book so addictive. If you've read the series you'll love seeing familiar faces and, if you haven't, I can't recommend this series or Lauren Gilley's writing highly enough!
July 27, 2025
Dartmoor and the Lean Dogs Legacy are a wonderful book series and I have enjoyed very much all its books. Buy Beware of Dog is my favorite book of all the Lauren books I have read so far! I loved the banter between Shep and Cass! Despite the very big age gap, they were perfect to each other. I will miss these crazy people, especially these two...
October 18, 2025
Cassie’s story
This is a nice addition to the Lean Dogs series. Cassie grows up. Of course, there is a love story and all our favorite characters are in it. There are a lot of our favorites characters from the series including a reunion of all of Devon Green’s family. It was a sweet story, although not as dramatic as most. I would definitely suggest it for fans of this series.
This is a nice addition to the Lean Dogs series. Cassie grows up. Of course, there is a love story and all our favorite characters are in it. There are a lot of our favorites characters from the series including a reunion of all of Devon Green’s family. It was a sweet story, although not as dramatic as most. I would definitely suggest it for fans of this series.
January 1, 2026
So the age gap thing has never been my thing at least not that much of an age gap. However in true Gilley fashion, Shep and Cass are incredibly sweet. The plot was well developed and the end was HEA *sigh* worthy. And finally someone in this series had a real wedding even if it was interrupted. Another great read.
July 24, 2025
I honestly can’t remember the last time I read a story where the main guy doesn’t overanalyze whether he’s good enough, too old, or all that blah-blah self-doubt. This man—if she wants him, he takes her. No hesitation. No drama. And the rest of the world can go to hell.
August 2, 2025
5 Stars
The only way I got into this book was I had to ignore the massive age gap between Cass and Shep.
What I loved
- Family time, especially Raven and Cass
- Familiar characters
- Strong personalities
- Entertaining banter
The only way I got into this book was I had to ignore the massive age gap between Cass and Shep.
What I loved
- Family time, especially Raven and Cass
- Familiar characters
- Strong personalities
- Entertaining banter
February 7, 2026
If I wasn’t saddled with work, I would have devoured this book in a day or two. But it took me a week to finish this very good book of a new to me author.
It was written in a way that I never knew I liked. Now, I’m thinking of reading the whole series!
It was written in a way that I never knew I liked. Now, I’m thinking of reading the whole series!
July 19, 2025
I love Lauren Gilley but this bored me a little sadly…
August 6, 2025
4.5 stars
August 18, 2025
Exceptional.
September 8, 2025
The 26-year age gap was a mindfuckery of its own.
October 9, 2025
Loved the beginning & the progression of their relationship was very sweet but at the midway point it sort of lost some steam…
February 11, 2026
an awesome read
I loved every minute of this book, and I love each and every character! I hope there will be more books to come.
I loved every minute of this book, and I love each and every character! I hope there will be more books to come.
July 31, 2025
3.5 stars. Well written, BIG age gap, likable leads, just a bit too sweet once they got together. Last 50% dragged.
October 2, 2025
3.5 ⭐
September 16, 2025
I love love Lauren Gilley books ' I honestly don't know why it just didn't flow for me, it was just a bit repetitive from the other books, nothing new kind of feel. Perhaps it's one of those situations where you would say it's not you it's me...Still she is one of my favourite authors, can't wait for the next book!!!
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