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Stuck with my Grumpy Protector: An Off-Limits Small Town Romance
Hiring Beckett Callahan to fix my porch? Smart.
Letting him stay after I tripped over his forgotten ladder and broke my ankle? Definitely less smart.
I write about fictional men like him.
Broody. Protective. Built like a lumberjack and hotter than sin.
I just didn’t expect to fall for the real-life version.
We’re opposites in every way.
He builds with his hands. I write about what hands like his could be doing.
He doesn’t know I’ve been secretly writing him into my romance novel.
Or that he’s the reason my steamy scenes now come with a fan and a tall glass of ice water.
Until he finds it.
Reads it.
And realizes I’ve been fantasizing about more than just a new deck.
And trust me, it’s not just my ankle that’s getting thoroughly wrecked.
Letting him stay after I tripped over his forgotten ladder and broke my ankle? Definitely less smart.
I write about fictional men like him.
Broody. Protective. Built like a lumberjack and hotter than sin.
I just didn’t expect to fall for the real-life version.
We’re opposites in every way.
He builds with his hands. I write about what hands like his could be doing.
He doesn’t know I’ve been secretly writing him into my romance novel.
Or that he’s the reason my steamy scenes now come with a fan and a tall glass of ice water.
Until he finds it.
Reads it.
And realizes I’ve been fantasizing about more than just a new deck.
And trust me, it’s not just my ankle that’s getting thoroughly wrecked.
353 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 12, 2025
15 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 22, 2025
Inspiration and Healing
Linden is a romance writer who has been blocked recently. The idea of a new place with a great ocean view sounds perfect. But when she sees the house she is discouraged. It's in bad shape. Her best friend has hired a contractor to do the work. Beckett comes in with a nod and assesses what needs to be done. He comes back the next morning to begin on the porch. Trying to be helpful, Linden brings out a cool glass of lemonade. She trips in a ladder Beckett left out. He takes her to the his hospital where they find her ankle broken and she is in a boot for a month. He feels so guilty he decided to stay in her guest room until she is healed. She first resists the idea, but then realized she needs help when she falls trying to take a shower and Beckett comes in to help. The situation becomes even more awkward when Beckett accidentally bumps her computer and the screen opens with her new novel. He starts reading and the more he reads he realizes that the male character is based on him. He reads some of the sexy scenes and wonders if she really visualizes these things because that's not far from what he has been visualizing with her. This begins their dance around their feelings and desires. Neither one dares to be the first to admit it. This goes on for weeks. Until the first move is made and all walls crash down. Both hope that this is more than casual, are afraid to ask for more. At her first book reading she chooses a steamy scene and she is surprised and a bit horrified when she sees Beckett standing in an aisle, smirking because he knows exactly what inspired that scene. The ride home is quiet but filled with tension. She continues writing, he continues to fix her house. But he cooks for her. Buys her favorite tea. Noticed the way she takes her coffee. Noticed all the small things. She finds him watching her a lot. He just smiles. Her last relationship was based on a lie and she is very shy about starting something, but with Beckett it seems so easy. Things continue to grow between them. He takes her away for a weekend for a real date, just the two of them. It changed everything. Both admit to themselves, but not to each other, they are in love. Completely in love. No short term relationship, but committed in a way that scares each of them. In San Francisco she had a reading and book signing as a New York Times best selling author. Afterwards she finally says the words and he tells her he loves her too. She is surprisingly comfortable with his crazy family. He's happy about that because his brothers are loud and can be a bit too much. This is a story of finding the one who sees you as you are and cherishes everything. It's a great story. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I highly recommend it.
Linden is a romance writer who has been blocked recently. The idea of a new place with a great ocean view sounds perfect. But when she sees the house she is discouraged. It's in bad shape. Her best friend has hired a contractor to do the work. Beckett comes in with a nod and assesses what needs to be done. He comes back the next morning to begin on the porch. Trying to be helpful, Linden brings out a cool glass of lemonade. She trips in a ladder Beckett left out. He takes her to the his hospital where they find her ankle broken and she is in a boot for a month. He feels so guilty he decided to stay in her guest room until she is healed. She first resists the idea, but then realized she needs help when she falls trying to take a shower and Beckett comes in to help. The situation becomes even more awkward when Beckett accidentally bumps her computer and the screen opens with her new novel. He starts reading and the more he reads he realizes that the male character is based on him. He reads some of the sexy scenes and wonders if she really visualizes these things because that's not far from what he has been visualizing with her. This begins their dance around their feelings and desires. Neither one dares to be the first to admit it. This goes on for weeks. Until the first move is made and all walls crash down. Both hope that this is more than casual, are afraid to ask for more. At her first book reading she chooses a steamy scene and she is surprised and a bit horrified when she sees Beckett standing in an aisle, smirking because he knows exactly what inspired that scene. The ride home is quiet but filled with tension. She continues writing, he continues to fix her house. But he cooks for her. Buys her favorite tea. Noticed the way she takes her coffee. Noticed all the small things. She finds him watching her a lot. He just smiles. Her last relationship was based on a lie and she is very shy about starting something, but with Beckett it seems so easy. Things continue to grow between them. He takes her away for a weekend for a real date, just the two of them. It changed everything. Both admit to themselves, but not to each other, they are in love. Completely in love. No short term relationship, but committed in a way that scares each of them. In San Francisco she had a reading and book signing as a New York Times best selling author. Afterwards she finally says the words and he tells her he loves her too. She is surprisingly comfortable with his crazy family. He's happy about that because his brothers are loud and can be a bit too much. This is a story of finding the one who sees you as you are and cherishes everything. It's a great story. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I highly recommend it.
September 15, 2025
What an amazing story of Beckett and Linden. Beckett a brooding contractor and Linden a romance novel writer. Story begins with a bang kinda with Linden breaking her ankle over a ladder left there by Beckett. The plot thickens the longer this story goes and it’s almost impossible to put the book down. Beckett’s family doesn’t make it easy of the two of them and the banter between them is hilarious. There is steam in this book. This story just keeps building from beginning to end. It is well plotted and written by the author. I would recommend this book to adults. I received a free copy of this book. I am leaving this review on my own.
September 15, 2025
You all will want to read this romance book right here by Echo. From the prologue to the sexy cover this book had my attention but just wait until you read the book because it’s a definite winner in my eyes. This book is sooooo good that once you start reading it there’s nothing that will stop you from finishing it in a day.
October 5, 2025
Fun Romance
A wonderful story with great characters, funny and romantic situations. You’ll want to move into this book and stay awhile. It had a meaningful happy ending that still has me smiling. I received an advance copy as a gift and I loved it.
A wonderful story with great characters, funny and romantic situations. You’ll want to move into this book and stay awhile. It had a meaningful happy ending that still has me smiling. I received an advance copy as a gift and I loved it.
September 14, 2025
This was a great book. I enjoyed all the banter between the brothers and then also between Linden and her bestie. And of course the steamy scenes.
October 4, 2025
I enjoyed stuck with my grumpy protector which was Beckett and Linden’s story. It was a relatable and entertaining read. I received an early copy. And voluntarily leaving this review.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews