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The Guardians #2
Counterpoint
New Orleans. St. Charles Street. Family legacies. Coming soon.
246 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 20, 2026
3 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 22, 2026
'Counterpoint' (The Guardians, book 2) written by Declan Rhodes (Kindle)
This storyline has everything I appreciate in a book:
1. Convoluted, well-written mysterious plot.
2. Intriguing characters: some likable, some...not so much.
3. Fascinating situation with no clear motive, at least at the beginning. It's fun to try to figure out the villian, (is there more than one?) and when you do, try to figure out who is abetting them and when and how these obviously meticulously planned attacks will happen again!
4. Slow, steamy sexual attraction and tension between two of the main characters, both of whom are gay and both are being cautious for various reasons.
5. An elder character, a vetted musician and conductor-maestro, who has been "targeted", but no one has figured out why or how...yet.
I loved the way the storyline unwinds in increments, like a savory stew, biding it's time on the back burner, waiting for additional spices, added one at a time, until it's time has come to shine in a pop of color and taste and action. Excellent cooking!
Oh yeah, and reading all this delicious-sounding food was making my mouth water! I've spent a few times in New Orleans and the atmosphere, the mix of people, the music, and the food are something unique to that city and not found anywhere else (to my knowledge). It's genuinely amazing!
Declan Rhodes is one of my favorite authors because of his attention to detail, meticulously building the plot, with the side attraction of a steamy gay romance.
He does this without the need, like some authors, to fling countless, meaningless repetitive sex scenes at the reader to distract from lack of an interesting plot.
I have enjoyed this book and this series so much and am (not so patiently) waiting for more!
Two thumbs up! 👍👍
This storyline has everything I appreciate in a book:
1. Convoluted, well-written mysterious plot.
2. Intriguing characters: some likable, some...not so much.
3. Fascinating situation with no clear motive, at least at the beginning. It's fun to try to figure out the villian, (is there more than one?) and when you do, try to figure out who is abetting them and when and how these obviously meticulously planned attacks will happen again!
4. Slow, steamy sexual attraction and tension between two of the main characters, both of whom are gay and both are being cautious for various reasons.
5. An elder character, a vetted musician and conductor-maestro, who has been "targeted", but no one has figured out why or how...yet.
I loved the way the storyline unwinds in increments, like a savory stew, biding it's time on the back burner, waiting for additional spices, added one at a time, until it's time has come to shine in a pop of color and taste and action. Excellent cooking!
Oh yeah, and reading all this delicious-sounding food was making my mouth water! I've spent a few times in New Orleans and the atmosphere, the mix of people, the music, and the food are something unique to that city and not found anywhere else (to my knowledge). It's genuinely amazing!
Declan Rhodes is one of my favorite authors because of his attention to detail, meticulously building the plot, with the side attraction of a steamy gay romance.
He does this without the need, like some authors, to fling countless, meaningless repetitive sex scenes at the reader to distract from lack of an interesting plot.
I have enjoyed this book and this series so much and am (not so patiently) waiting for more!
Two thumbs up! 👍👍
March 24, 2026
Declan Rhodes is one of my go-to authors, you can never go wrong with one of his books. This second book in his new Guardians series features Thiago, a member of the Guardians Protection Service, in New Orleans in response to a possible threat to the life of Dominic, a well-known symphony conductor. Dominic will be leading a concert to celebrate an event from 2006 after Katrina, and it is thought there is a connection between a gunshot through a window and the concert. Luca runs Dominic’s household and is an extremely observant man, aside from having a vast knowledge of most areas of Dominic’s life. As threats escalate, it becomes more obvious that the threat is probably from one or more people close to Dominic in his professional capacity. As Thiago and Luca work together, with input from Dominic, two other members of Thiago’s team, and peripheral characters, they close in with a plan to thwart whatever may be coming—at least they hope that is how it will work.
As an unexpected “complication(?)”, Thiago and Luca are attracted to each other, but Thiago’s go-bag is always packed, ready to go at the end of the assignment, so whether there will be much beyond a casual relationship between them remains to be seen. Very mild spicy scenes for them.
This book has intrigue, a mystery to solve, festering old resentments, betrayals by trusted members of Dominic’s circle, interesting and engaging characters, and great world-building for culture of New Orleans and behind the scenes at events like the concert. Lots of action and chances for the reader to make predictions and watch for clues. It definitely kept me engaged, read it in one sitting. As with Declan’s other books, I can definitely recommend this one as a great read.
I received an ARC from the author and this is my voluntary review.
As an unexpected “complication(?)”, Thiago and Luca are attracted to each other, but Thiago’s go-bag is always packed, ready to go at the end of the assignment, so whether there will be much beyond a casual relationship between them remains to be seen. Very mild spicy scenes for them.
This book has intrigue, a mystery to solve, festering old resentments, betrayals by trusted members of Dominic’s circle, interesting and engaging characters, and great world-building for culture of New Orleans and behind the scenes at events like the concert. Lots of action and chances for the reader to make predictions and watch for clues. It definitely kept me engaged, read it in one sitting. As with Declan’s other books, I can definitely recommend this one as a great read.
I received an ARC from the author and this is my voluntary review.
March 21, 2026
COUNTERPOINT - DECLAN RHODES
This is book 2 in The Guardian’s series, and takes place in New Orleans. Romantic suspense written in true Declan Rhodes fashion.
Luca has worked for Dominic St Clair for years, and is always a quiet observer of everything that goes on. He is shocked the night someone sends a warning shot into the house, and when he meets Thiago he is intrigued by the way he silently takes every situation in.
Thiago isn’t sure what to make of Dominic or Luca, but finds the way they are handling the home invasion interesting. Dominic doesn’t believe someone could want him dead, and Luca wants to figure out who would want to kill the man who gave him a job and a purpose.
Thiago starts out with understanding the small clues left behind by the invader, and learning to adjust to a slower pace in this new environment while finding a way to keep everyone in the house safe until he can figure out what the plot really is.
Luca has his own way of dealing with the changes in their daily life by trying to keep things as normal as usual while watching for anything out of the ordinary and sharing those moments with Thiago. Once they build a timeline, and figure out the probability of when things will happen, they start narrowing down the list of potential candidates.
There are wonderful and quirky side characters brought in, including Thiago’s boss Eamon who we have seen in several previous stories. A lot of suspense with the drama and a slow burn romance that is exactly what our MC’s need in their lives but were not expecting. It is everything you expect from Declan Rhodes and so much more. Definitely a must read author every time.
This is book 2 in The Guardian’s series, and takes place in New Orleans. Romantic suspense written in true Declan Rhodes fashion.
Luca has worked for Dominic St Clair for years, and is always a quiet observer of everything that goes on. He is shocked the night someone sends a warning shot into the house, and when he meets Thiago he is intrigued by the way he silently takes every situation in.
Thiago isn’t sure what to make of Dominic or Luca, but finds the way they are handling the home invasion interesting. Dominic doesn’t believe someone could want him dead, and Luca wants to figure out who would want to kill the man who gave him a job and a purpose.
Thiago starts out with understanding the small clues left behind by the invader, and learning to adjust to a slower pace in this new environment while finding a way to keep everyone in the house safe until he can figure out what the plot really is.
Luca has his own way of dealing with the changes in their daily life by trying to keep things as normal as usual while watching for anything out of the ordinary and sharing those moments with Thiago. Once they build a timeline, and figure out the probability of when things will happen, they start narrowing down the list of potential candidates.
There are wonderful and quirky side characters brought in, including Thiago’s boss Eamon who we have seen in several previous stories. A lot of suspense with the drama and a slow burn romance that is exactly what our MC’s need in their lives but were not expecting. It is everything you expect from Declan Rhodes and so much more. Definitely a must read author every time.
March 22, 2026
I have read a number of Declan books on hockey in Thunder Bay and a small east coast town where the arena is the centre of attention. There was also a first responders series and at least one of the Guardians comes from the series. Counterpoint is written as I would expect a procedural would be written - almost staccato as pieces are put together. That is a tribute to this author's versatility.
The story starts early with a bullet being lodged in the ceiling of the orchestra conductor's home. Celeste, one of the main characters quickly arranges for the Guardian's to come in and they take some unusual clues to discover there is a plot to at least interrupt a performance of the Saints on the anniversary of the return to New Orleans of musicians following Katrina. Thiago is the first to arrive. Luca is the Conductor's live in personal assistant and the two of them truly coordinate while Eammon arrives later and brings New Orleans police into the final stages of protection.
The M/M Romance starts early on between Luca and Thiago, so much so that the conductor, Luca's parents, and others see it but it is not dealt with so as to take over the protection. That happens after Thiago is in the Hospital and everyone is safe.
I started reading M/M Romance because I got to reading mystery where the main characters were gay. This book took me back to procedurals where the principal participants were gay.
I had an ARC copy of the book from BookSirens and always try to give my honest opinion as that assists readers and the author.
The story starts early with a bullet being lodged in the ceiling of the orchestra conductor's home. Celeste, one of the main characters quickly arranges for the Guardian's to come in and they take some unusual clues to discover there is a plot to at least interrupt a performance of the Saints on the anniversary of the return to New Orleans of musicians following Katrina. Thiago is the first to arrive. Luca is the Conductor's live in personal assistant and the two of them truly coordinate while Eammon arrives later and brings New Orleans police into the final stages of protection.
The M/M Romance starts early on between Luca and Thiago, so much so that the conductor, Luca's parents, and others see it but it is not dealt with so as to take over the protection. That happens after Thiago is in the Hospital and everyone is safe.
I started reading M/M Romance because I got to reading mystery where the main characters were gay. This book took me back to procedurals where the principal participants were gay.
I had an ARC copy of the book from BookSirens and always try to give my honest opinion as that assists readers and the author.
March 24, 2026
This was a gripping blend of romantic suspense and character-driven storytelling that kept me hooked from start to finish. The premise alone is intriguing, but it’s the slow unravelling of Dominic’s past and the way it collides with the present, that really gives the story its edge.
Thiago and Luca make for a compelling pair. Thiago’s calm, controlled nature contrasts nicely with Luca’s sharp instincts and emotional investment in Dominic’s life. Their dynamic has a natural tension to it, especially as they’re forced to work closely together under pressure. The chemistry is there from the start, but it never overshadows the central mystery, which I really appreciated.
The pacing works well, with the threats escalating in a way that feels deliberate and layered rather than rushed. Each new development adds another piece to the puzzle, and it was genuinely satisfying trying to connect the dots alongside the characters.
I also loved the setting, there’s a strong sense of place throughout, with the musical backdrop and the atmosphere of New Orleans adding richness to the story. It all builds towards a tense and fitting conclusion. HIghly recommend
I received a free arc copy and this is my honest review
Thiago and Luca make for a compelling pair. Thiago’s calm, controlled nature contrasts nicely with Luca’s sharp instincts and emotional investment in Dominic’s life. Their dynamic has a natural tension to it, especially as they’re forced to work closely together under pressure. The chemistry is there from the start, but it never overshadows the central mystery, which I really appreciated.
The pacing works well, with the threats escalating in a way that feels deliberate and layered rather than rushed. Each new development adds another piece to the puzzle, and it was genuinely satisfying trying to connect the dots alongside the characters.
I also loved the setting, there’s a strong sense of place throughout, with the musical backdrop and the atmosphere of New Orleans adding richness to the story. It all builds towards a tense and fitting conclusion. HIghly recommend
I received a free arc copy and this is my honest review
March 24, 2026
With each book, I continue to be so impressed how this author makes me believe each new book is the best one. I love this series, the Guardians, and book two is simply perfection. It is like reading an old Southern gothic novel of romance and mystery. Dominic is a well know conductor who life is being threatened and as such his personal assistant, Luca, and Thiago, one of the guardians, are on it to protect him. Both are suspicious of the other despite massive attraction between the two. As they are forced to work together to protect Dom, feeling develop dispute their trust issues. Expect tons of intrigue, roller coaster moments, and professional lines being challenged, but you get a wonderful HEA. I am so excited for book three for like all of this authors books I read them in one sitting then reread them over and over. Once is never enough.
March 22, 2026
I will start out that I have read all of Rhodes’s novel and this is my very favorite. It has everything one would expect in a Rhodes MM novel: spiciness, intrigue, opposites attracting, psychology, philosophy, & a HEA. However, this novel adds intrigue, suspense, and mystery. There is a puzzle to be solved by the Guardians and specifically by one of them. It contains characters with very strong and at times opposing opinions. For one, bitterness overcomes logic; and for another, logic reigns. NOLA comes to life in a special way and you will remember why as it is revealed here. I can’t omit a famous bar. And what about Saints? Enjoy!
March 24, 2026
Counterpoint takes us to New Orleans, where Thiago Reyes is taking some time away from his job with the Guardians. He is hired to provide security and protection to the conductor. Thiago realizes that Luca Moreau, Dominic's assistant is a valuable asset to have around while trying to figure out who wants to kill Dominic and how. Romance brews between Thiago and Luca as they work together to protect Dominic. Reading the book makes me want to go back to New Orleans to capture the spirit and the food of the city again.
March 24, 2026
Showing RANGE, Declan. This time we're in New Orleans with a conductor who is worried about an old friend who may or may not be about to ruin his final conducting performance and the people who run said conductor's household. A consultant arrives from New York and he and the conductor's right-hand man fall in love. The consultant doesn't move back to New York.
March 24, 2026
I enjoyed this book much more than the first book in the series.
Thiago is bought into help protect Dominic, a conductor preparing for a big concert in New Orleans and who has had somebody shooting into his home.
He has an assistant, Luca who aids Thiago in solving the mystery.
This book read fast and kept me intrigued until the big reveal.
Thiago is bought into help protect Dominic, a conductor preparing for a big concert in New Orleans and who has had somebody shooting into his home.
He has an assistant, Luca who aids Thiago in solving the mystery.
This book read fast and kept me intrigued until the big reveal.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews