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A BBW, opposites attract, forced proximity military protector romance from New York Times Bestselling Author Lynn Raye Harris.

Chase “Fiddler” Daniels doesn’t recognize the curvy woman standing on his doorstep begging for help. When he does, it’s a gut punch. Ten years ago, innocent little Sophie Nash got a home and a name when his narcissistic father married her mother. A name that should have been his.

Chase has spent years working through the trauma of being unwanted by his dad while his mother struggled to raise him alone. Sophie can get lost for all he cares.

Until someone firebombs his apartment with them still inside…

Aspiring actress Sophie didn’t want to drag Chase into her mess, but he’s the protector she needs - and there’s nowhere else to go. No one she trusts.

Running across continents, trying to stay one step ahead of certain death, has ways of making two people draw close. Especially when they have a history that makes them all wrong for each other.

And when the unthinkable happens, Chase will have to do what he does best. Or lose the only woman he’ll ever love. Permanently.


**Find out what makes the men of H.O.T. so HOT! Start reading the Hostile Operations Team Series - Strike Team 1 today and enjoy an action-packed, seriously romantic and steamy-good-fun military romantic suspense. Each book can be read as a standalone. No cliffhangers or cheating and a guaranteed happily-ever-after ending!

342 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 19, 2016

473 people are currently reading
936 people want to read

About the author

Lynn Raye Harris

406 books2,944 followers
Lynn Raye Harris is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of sizzling military romantic suspense novels and contemporary romance novels. She lives in Alabama with her husband (former military), her cat, and her American Saddlebred horse.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 154 reviews
Profile Image for Lana ❇✾DG Romance❇✾.
2,299 reviews13.6k followers
January 14, 2016
4.5 Stars

Oh God," she gasped...
"Oh Chase will do."


There's two things I'm guaranteed when I pick up another book in this fantastic series:
(1) I'm going to read it in one sitting
(2) I'm going to love every single page of it.
No really. I'm not even kidding. Ten books into the series and Lynn continues to not only maintain the mark, but exceed it with every turn. They keep getting hotter and hotter and the story lines get better and better. There's a reason I say this series is my crack and I hope it never ends!
...you'd better be prepared- because I'm not tame, or safe- and I won't stay within the lines.

Chase “Fiddler” Daniels has always been a great secondary character but I couldn't wait for him to get his own book. He surely didn't disappoint. Admittedly I was a little afraid about the whole step siblings thing, but the way that the author handled it was perfect. They obviously don't live together, and Chase isn't close to his father (Sophie's step father). There's a clear separation. And them both being adults definitely helps quite a bit.

The story itself was addictingly good. Sophie gets herself into some hot water when she realizes that the man that she was dating may be tied to Russian organized crime. To make matters even more dangerous, when she runs from him she takes something of his with her. Something that he's willing to kill to get back. Police aren't an option for Sophie when the man hunting her may have leverage over them, so there's only one man she can think that will help her; Chase.

The last person Chase expected to see on his doorstep is the step sister that he hasn't seen in over ten years. Having severed all ties with his father, he wants nothing to do with that family and that includes Sophie. But when he sees the imminent danger she's in, he knows that he'll do anything to protect her. He just has to make sure that he protects his heart too because the more time he spends with Sophie, the more he realizes that she draws him in in a way that he can't deny for long.
He didn't care if he left a mark. Hell, he wanted to leave a mark. He wanted to brand her as his for as long as he felt like this.
However long that might be.


Hot Protector was another hit. I love that Lynn is beginning to add a secondary story going with Mendez and she's able to do that by flawlessly weaving it into the story. I also loved getting another little taste of Ian Black. I cannot wait for his book to finally come out, but I'll take whatever scraps the author throws my way in the meantime.

This series is everything I love about Romantic Suspense. It's an action-packed ride fused together with sizzling hot romance. It's thrilling and erotically charged and my absolute go-to when I want a guaranteed enjoyable read and I can't wait for more!

Each book is easily read as a standalone, so don't be intimidated by the amount of books. However, I strongly recommend reading it in order since the entire series is fantastic!

ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review

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Profile Image for Jennifer.
2,511 reviews85 followers
December 29, 2015
ARC received from author

Another amazing HOT book. Fiddler and Sophia were great together. Awesome adventure with a romance and hot sex thrown in the mix. Got to see lots of the HOT gang and more of Mendez's romance building.

Now, do I want bad guy, I mean good guy Ian Black to get a HEA? Only if she gives him as much trouble as Ian gives the HOT guys.
Profile Image for Julie .
4,237 reviews38k followers
January 17, 2016
HOT Protector by Lynn Raye Harris is a 2016 publication. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

It is only fitting that the tenth novel in the H.O.T series should get perfect ten score.

The step-brother trope is the hottest thing going right now, for those who enjoy that storyline, you will want to check this one out.

Chase “Fiddler” Daniels has his life disrupted in a most explosive manner when his step-sister, Sophie, shows up at his house in the wee hours of the morning bringing a world of trouble with her.

Apparently, Sophie got involved with the wrong man, and is now in serious danger. Chase’s experience as a member of H.O. T. is the only hope Sophie has, and so although he really, really, really, can’t stand his step-sister, he agrees to help her. But, in so doing, Chase’s life will never be the same, because for some reason, there is a deep connection between him and the girl he has harbored deep and intense resentment towards most of his life. But, before the couple can decipher their feelings they must discover what is on a certain flash drive that has made Sophie a target, and make it out alive in the process.

Although this adventure is not an official H.O.T assignment, this story still has the high octane action, explosions, and evil bad guys as all the other books in this series. Plus, there is still that secondary storyline going on with Mendez and Ian Black that is very, very interesting indeed.

But, the focus here is on Chase and Sophie, two wounded souls, who discover they have a thing or two in common after all and getting together, even under these conditions, gives them a chance to clear the air, commiserate with one another, and begin to heal past hurts, and it goes without saying the chemistry between them will boil steel. This couple has a sexy, and naughty banter between them that keeps the tension at a fever pitch.

Chase is a typical alpha, but is obviously sensitive, and I liked the way he took care of Sophie. On the surface, Sophie seemed to live a charmed life, but reality proves otherwise. The topic of body shaming and body image is addressed, and the way Chase boosted Sophie’s confidence was the first thing that won me over.

This story has a slightly different tone to it with a cloak and dagger style story involving a mysterious flash drive, with a little globetrotting added in. The attention the story called to crimes against women, something I feel should be thrust into the spotlight more often because it remains a very shadowy, underground topic, is another thing that makes this book such a good story.

As always, the story was very fast paced, filled with hot as fire sexy times and non-stop action and suspense.
If you like hot military heroes, and romantic suspense, this series is for you.
Profile Image for Michelle the Romance Witch.
2,520 reviews74 followers
January 1, 2016
4.5 stars...seriously hot and as a woman with extra meat on her bones I just have to say I want a man just like Fiddler for myself. full review coming soon to the blog.
Profile Image for J Kiwibooknerd .
1,813 reviews57 followers
January 2, 2016
Advanced Readers Copy Courtesy of Author, Lynn Raye Harris....:)

Taboo or Not Taboo that is the question......:)

Sorry I had to add that, as not only has one of the hottest authors out there taken another book in the HOT series and made it a 5 star read, but she added a little taboo in it......And I freaking loved every minute of it......

Okay not really taboo as they are step siblings and did not ever live together or grow up together, but in today's society some would still turn there nose up....me not so much...... I love a little taboo every now and then.

This is Chase"Fiddler" Daniels story. He is a solider in the elite Hostile Operations Team. He and his team are currently home after a mission and engaging in some down time, when a knock to his door brings his step sister whom he has not seen in over 10 years. Sophie Nash has certainly grown up since he last saw her and he cant help the immediate attraction that blooms between him....

Sophie Nash is in a world of trouble, and who better than to help her out with it, but her step brother/solider extraordinaire Chase Daniels.

The story takes us to France and back as these 2 must work together to sort out Sophies "little" problem and of course try and keep their hands off each other.

Once again this author did a phenomenal job in taking this her tenth novel in this series and making it one of my favorites to date (yeah yeah I say this after every book, but seriously she is THAT good)

Loved it and let me say I need Ian Black story ASAP. This guy intrigues me and I cant wait to read more....Oh and maybe its time Colonel Mendez got his too.....:)

Thanks again to the author for a ARC of this book. It was a pleasure to escape into your world for a couple of action packed, HOT hours!!!

Profile Image for Book Him Danno.
2,399 reviews78 followers
May 24, 2016
There are two story lines I am so tried of reading one when the woman gets pregnant after one hot long night and the second stepbrother romances.
Lynn Raye Harris did a great job of writing and kept the story moving from beginning to end never once causing the reader to get bored. The Romance is hot just like all the others but something was off about this book and I can't quite put my finger on it.
The story moves quickly with an another explosive end and a romance that will last a life time.

If you do not like Swearing, graphic sex, and endless action this isn't your book.
Sent to me for my honest thoughts from the publisher.
1,016 reviews16 followers
January 18, 2016
I LOVE this series!! It has all of the ingredients for a great escape - action, passion, intrigue, humor - I could go on and on, but this book (and series) has it all. Each of these books are consistently strong and engaging stories that give me the escape I need.

Chase/Fiddler was a bit of a hot/cold character for me. I think Sophie (the heroine) put it best that he's "confusing as hell. Prickly one minute and sexy the next. Pulling her to him and pushing her away. Being so sweet it hurt and then being angry and defensive."

Sophie is always sweet and real. She's a people pleaser and wants to be an actress so she can escape into being someone else. She's self-conscious after growing up with neglectful parents who made her feel like she wasn't good enough due to her weight. Her mom is a former Victoria's Secret model and her adoptive father is a self-centered musician... who also happens to be Chase's biological father. (I know - this is falling into the mass wave of the step-brother trope.)

Sophie knew Chase and had a crush on him during the month every summer for the four years when he visited his father. He projected the anger he felt for father on her thinking she was growing up with the privileges and love he never got. He was wrong about that and a lot of things, so when he comes to this realization it's VERY satisfying! Yep, he may be stubborn and a jerk at times, but when he falls it's hard and worth every minute you wanted to kick him in the shins.

To top it all off - there's a Romancing the Stone reference. Seriously. I squealed. It's my favorite movie and the scene mentioned is perfect in this story.

One of the best parts of this series is the inclusion of past and future characters. We get to see glimpses of them (some more than others) there's a little build up for the next. On that subject, I know it's probably not the next book, but I NEED IAN BLACK'S STORY. Seriously, I've been saying that since Victoria's book and he keeps getting better. Please put me out of my misery.

I received a copy of this book from the author for an honest review.
Profile Image for Chrissy.
432 reviews6 followers
December 29, 2015
I was lucky enough to get this book from The author, Mrs. Harris. In exchange for a Honest review!

OMG what can I say about this book??????? It was HOT well more like Smoking HOT. It was filled with HOT and Steamy Romance and Action. I highly recommend this book, and all the HOT Books!

Sophie is in danger she turns to her step brother Chase for help. There is a huge story between them two, all I will say about that is they are not really even step siblings.

Chase doesn't believe Sophie at first till his place gets blown up. They are on the run, from the danger at first they can't stand one and another well more like Chase can't stand her. But as the story unfolds, they get closer and closer. WOW the love scenes in this book, will steam up your kindle, more like be a FIRE on your kindle. WOW so HOT....

There is action, and of course we see the HOT guys. We also see Col. Mendez and Sam a little more, but it is just a tease and it will leave you wanting for more..... Get this book today, if you love Hot action and even hotter romance with a HOT Military man.
I can't wait for the next book..... SO SO SO SO SO GOOD.

Profile Image for katharine.
332 reviews6 followers
August 16, 2021
Wooowyyy this book was something else. This book pretty much jumps into the action immediately and never stops! And boy is the tension so thick between Chase and Sophie, who is technically his step-sister, but we won’t mention that….

Anyway, Chase, who is one of the last single members, gets a rude awakening when Sophie shows up at 3 am needing his help, only to have his apartment set aflame and his whole life upended in the span of 30 minutes. From there, nothing slows down and it only gets better and better.

Sophie is on the run from a Russian boyfriend who she tries to end it with, only to have him get upset and threaten her. Before she fled though, she stole a flash drive from him and shipped it to Paris, then high tailed it to Chase’s place.

The one thing I loved about this book is that Jack was pretty prevalent in this story. Since he’s no longer working for the military, he’s started his own security firm and he’s who chase contacts for help. The rest of the team is in it as well, but more so towards the end of the book. We do get more snippets of Mendez (and some sexy time scenes with him), and we learn a little bit more about him.

The girl gang is at it again with being there for one of their fellow HOT girlfriend. We get some updates on Evie and Emily, with their little baby bumps (as well as some cute scenes between Evie and Matt) and we get a whole dialogue scene with all the girls together. They’re trying to figure out who to set Dex up with now that he’s officially the last single member. It’s so nice seeing all the girls together and getting to hear from them and see updates about them. I also love getting some of the sweet tender moments from some of the past couples.

I can’t wait for Dex’s story and I definitely cannot wait for Mendez’s story.
Profile Image for Kristen Lewendon.
8,429 reviews63 followers
February 4, 2025
Ack! I loved Sophie pretty much from the moment this book opened. But Chase’s arrogant jerk attitude and behavior frustrated me so badly. I couldn’t help but feel for Sophie. She’d landed herself in a mess, and as we got to know more about how that happened, she gained more and more of my sympathies. Added to that, Chase couldn’t quite make up his mind how he was going to feel about her, and their push-me/pull-you dynamic had me tearing my hair out by the roots. I enjoyed the ending they achieved and I’m very curious to discover what the new revelations mean for the future of the series.
Profile Image for Julie Miller.
Author 295 books365 followers
December 29, 2020
For some reason, I had missed Chase "Fiddler" Daniels and Sophie Nash's story, as I have read the rest of Lynn Raye Harris's HOT series. I was glad to find it tucked away on my Kindle.

I loved Sophie and Chase together. At first, he came off like a real jerk, but she was having none of that. Although the world (her world) might have perceived her as weak, second-class, "fat" or insignificant, she turned out to be a surprisingly strong, beautiful woman. I loved looking at her through Chase's eyes, as he discovered the beauty that her mother and adoptive father (his birth father--it's complicated!) overlooked. I believed his lust and his emotional connection to her.

Some cool action. Great sex scenes. There was a lot of subplot going on, setting up Mendez's story, so in some ways, I felt like Chase and Sophie's suspense story got a little shortchanged. But the romance elements were totally worth the read.

A great series if you love military romance or romantic suspense!
Profile Image for Liza.
1,401 reviews149 followers
January 19, 2016
Favorite one in the series so far!

I'm a huge fan of the Hostile Operations Team series from Lynn Raye Harris. I'm not going to lie when I saw it was a step-brother/step-sister romance, I almost stopped reading. However, since I'm such a fan of the author and the characters from this series, I kept reading, and I'm so glad I did. Hot Protector is one of my favorite books in the series.

Hot Protector was a super fast-paced story. As with all the Hostile Operations Team books, there is plenty of action, though this is from Russian mobsters rather than a military mission. I was excited for Chase "Fiddler" Daniels to get his story. I loved that even though he didn't like Sophie from when they were kids, he stepped up to protect her as soon as he realized she was in trouble. I have to say based on the history between them, I could understand if he had turned her away, but his mama raised him better than that and it was just another reason I fell in love with him.

Sophie had always tried to be friends with Chase when he came out to spend the few summers with his biological father, who happens to be Sophie's adopted father. Chase is the first person she thinks of when she realizes she is in over her head. While I felt like she was pretty naive to not figure out Grigori was a bad person sooner, but she did pick a great guy with Chase to get help when she needed it most.

Again the step-brother/step-sister thing almost put me off, but after hearing they only saw each other for 3 summers and limited amount of time then, I no longer really felt like they ever had a true sibling-type relationship. I could tell from the very beginning that both Sophie and Chase were attracted to one another and it really made me laugh as they each tried to fight their attraction. OMG the chemistry between Sophie and Chase was off the charts hot! Seriously my kindle screen steamed up anytime Chase and Sophie touched each other. Even while on the run they couldn't keep their hands off each other. I also love both Chase and Sophie were super protective of each other, but especially Chase. I really felt like it was one of the sweetest parts of his character.

While the Hostile Operations Team couldn't really officially be involved since not a military mission, former and current H.O.T. members always have each other's backs. I loved getting to spend time with some of my favorite characters from past books and have to say I'm more in love with Col. Mendez than I was before. I love we get to see his romance with Sam build a little with each book.

Hot Protector is the perfect read for anyone who enjoys a hot and sexy romance with suspense and action thrown in. I can't wait to see which H.O.T. member gets the next book and where Ms. Harris takes us.

Review copy provided by publisher
1,112 reviews8 followers
January 1, 2016
I chose Lynn Raye Harris for my last book of 2015. I wanted to go out with a bang, and I knew she would get the job done with the newest HOT addition. This series is always dependable for sexy action and suspense with an interesting subplot trailing throughout. All the hot HOT guys combined with the newly introduced SEALS and the enigmatic Ian Black (yum!) are just icing on the cake.

Okay, so I'm going to start by saying that I really didn't like this cover to start with. It just came across too harsh to me until I started getting to know Chase in this story. Harsh is exactly how I would describe Chase. He is gruff, crude, foul mouthed, and ill tempered. He is also Sophie's very estranged step brother. When Sophie finds herself in danger with only minutes to decide where to turn, Chase seems like her only option. The only problem is that Chase doesn't believe her and doesn't want anything to do with her...at least until he becomes the victim of an attack targeting her. The two end up on the run together taking help from Chase's teammates as they can. Sophie is a super sweet people pleaser with generous proportions and a curvy figure. She is way too sweet and innocent for Chase, and he more than knows it. It doesn't stop him from lusting after her awesome curves or throwing verbal barbs at her to give himself some distance all while racing to get the evidence they need to make Sophie safe again. Though I couldn't think of a less likely pairing than Chase and Sophie, the longer they're together, the more they end up liking about each other. Their desire ramps up along with the danger, but in the end the two will only survive if Sophie can move beyond her people pleasing and Chase can admit to his softer feelings.

As always, I enjoyed this HOT story. I liked harsh Chase more than I expected to, and I was thrilled to read that Sophie was a curvy voluptuous woman. Her realistic struggles with foods and her self image make her so easy to identify with. The way Chase makes her feel during their intimate moments is what every woman needs to experience. I'm thrilled to make this my last book of the year.

I received an ARC from the publisher for review. Yay!!!

Profile Image for Eva Millien.
3,115 reviews45 followers
January 19, 2016
All Chase “Fiddler” Daniels wanted was some sleep and sex but when Sophie Nash arrives on his doorstep he’s thrust into a high stakes game of cat and mouse where the risks are life and death in this pulse pounding military romance.

Sophie only wants her life to return to normal and she needs Chase’s help to do that and the reader can’t help but get sucked into the rush as Sophie finds herself falling for her very hot, very lethal and very forbidden protector. Just because Chase is Sophie’s stepbrother doesn’t mean the chemistry doesn’t burn hot, in fact in their case I’d say it ups the burn to scorching but the relationship is hampered by guilty feelings and past issues that has lots of emotional turbulence flowing from the pages right alongside the heat which grips readers by the heart and adds depth these strong, captivating characters as the fast paced and smooth flowing plot thrills readers with lots of suspense, action and romance.

Sophie got herself mixed up with a very dangerous dude and then she added to the spine tingling tension by taking something that belonged to the man and the adrenaline pumping excitement builds as the danger escalates because not only does the bad guy want it back but he has some nasty plans for Sophie so there is never a dull moment as Chase calls in the team to help keep her alive. The intriguing events draw the readers in and guarantee they keep turning the pages as the well written scenes full of vivid details make it easy for the readers to become immersed in the story.

Chase and Sophie’s story is one of those stories that you find hard to put down once you start reading it because if you are like me and enjoy getting that heart pounding, ramped up feeling, then you just have to know what happens next and to make their story extra spicy, there is the forbidden element to their romance that makes the passion crackle.
Profile Image for Renee Entress.
5,576 reviews77 followers
January 22, 2016
4.5 star

I was pulled right into this story. The story has laughs, pain, secrets, betrayal, suspense, and heartbreak.

If you have not read the below I would recommend reading those books(s) first
Hot Pursuit (Hostile Operations Team, #1)
Hot Mess (Hostile Operations Team, #2)
Hot Package (Hostile Operations Team, #3)
Dangerously Hot (Hostile Operations Team, #4)
Hot Shot (Hostile Operations Team, #5)
Hot Rebel (Hostile Operations Team, #6)
Hot Ice (Hostile Operations Team, #7)
Hot and Bothered (Hostile Operations Team #8)
Hot Seal (Hostile Operations Team - Book 9)

This is Sophie Nash and Chase “Fiddler” Daniels’s story. Sophie shows up on Chase’s doorstep in trouble. She overheard something and ran. Now with danger one step behind her she runs to Chase. Chase does not believe she is in danger until danger comes right to his door. Can he protect Sophie and figure out what she knows and has for the people after her to want her dead? Can Sophie and Chase make it to the package she sent with all the information before the bad guys get it or get them? With all the sexual tension between the two of them can they concentrate on the mission before falling into bed? If they can overcome the danger is Chase going to just walk away from Sophie or will he fight for her?

I loved these characters and also the side characters. I felt I was able to connect with the characters and the story was a great read.

I highly recommend this book and can’t wait for the next story from this author.
Profile Image for Keri.
1,339 reviews26 followers
December 30, 2015
I was so excited to see an email offering me a early copy of this book and I devoured it in one day! Our HOT teams(yes we see both, Hello Viking did ya miss me?) are back at it this book and this time we get to see Chase "Fiddler" Daniels get his happily ever after, not that it comes easy but all these men have to work for it. I liked Sophie, she was a bit sweet and innocent but it worked for her quite well. Her relationship with Chase is a bit complicated and while I don't usually read the step-brother type romances I was pleased with how Ms Harris worked this one. We get plenty of action, some truly panty melting hot moments and I know y'all think I am crazy but some scenes of my man, Col Mendez in his element! With every new book in this series I fall deeper in love with this world that's been created with characters that you can't wait to see book after book. I'm curious to see if the ladies set up Dex or how he finds love but mostly I need more Ian Black!
This is a must read for the series lovers and if you haven't given it a chance yet....pick them up, one click them, whatever it is you do!
This was a complimentary e-copy provided by the author in exchange for honest review.
Profile Image for Mignon Mykel.
Author 86 books686 followers
January 11, 2016
The forbidden romance. More to the point, the step brother romance.

Oh yes, Lynn Raye Harris went there.

And oh my goodness, did she do a great job of it.

I've loved every HOT book put out, some more than others, and this is definitely one of the 'more' books -- not quite Lucky and Kev, or Garrett and Grace, but another great couple.

When Sophie's mother married Chase's dad, Chase rarely came around. He wasn't close with his dad in the least bit -- and when he had his mother's maiden name and Tyler Nash adopted Sophie, giving him his name... somewhere deep in the recesses of Chase's soul, it hurt a little bit. He's been able to keep Sophie and the rest of the Nash's far, far away from his life -- until she shows up on his doorstep (because low and behold, daddy dearest has been keeping tabs on Chase's life). Sophie's in trouble and it's going to take Chase and HOT to help -- and along the way, Chase realizes just how much he wants Sophie in his life.

Absolutely loved this latest HOT book!
Profile Image for Angela.
1,700 reviews43 followers
January 22, 2016
I don't usually read any romance books with step-siblings just cause I feel extremely uncomfortable cause I have a buttload of them and could never see them as anything other than siblings. But I was provided with an ARC from the author and I wouldn't want to disappoint her (and I love her books). Well, I was pleasantly surprised. I ended up loving this book and fell hard for Sophie and Chase. Even with the emotional connection they tried to fight it, but I'm so happy they failed at something. This book was an emotional rollercoaster in all the right ways. I need more of these guys.

Thanks for the ARC, Lynn Raye Harris.
Profile Image for Maria .
2,472 reviews23 followers
January 23, 2020
Yuck

Unfortunately, out of all of the full size stories in this series this one turned me off! The hero was the most crude out of all the team guys. He was just nasty. He ruined it for me time and time again. Sophie was very complacent to his crudeness. She had no self esteem. I am not a vanilla kind of reader, but he was horrible and sometimes disgusting in The way the filth came out of his mouth. The only reason I give this story three stars instead of less...was because of the other team members and their women, who were great.
Profile Image for Yvonne S.
211 reviews1 follower
September 14, 2025
Crude MMC, doormat FMC

Hot Protector is part of Lynn Raye Harris’s HOT (Hostile Operations Team) Strike Team 1 series. I read the first book a while ago and recall enjoying it. This one only landed on my TBR list because it was free. Although the story itself kept me interested, I unfortunately found myself not liking the characters.

While enjoying some downtime after the team’s last mission, Chase is awakened at 3:00 AM by a knock on his door. Thinking it’s a booty call, he opens it to find the daughter of the woman his father married—his stepsister, Sophie, whom he cannot stand. Sophie explains that she’s being hunted by dangerous people after unknowingly getting involved with a very bad man. Chase initially refuses to help, but then his apartment is bombed while they’re still talking. What follows is a frantic race to stay ahead of the bad guys and recover a flash drive Sophie “stole” from her ex on the way out.

A lot of the logic in this book just didn’t add up for me. First, we have two people who barely know each other—one of whom (Chase) harbors a lot of, albeit undeserved, resentment toward the other (Sophie). Then Sophie gets herself into a dangerous situation, and who does she run to? That’s right: Chase. A man who couldn’t stand her as a teen and hasn’t spoken to her since. She shows up at his door at 3:00 AM expecting him to leap to her defense. That didn’t quite gel for me.

Sophie got involved with a mobster, “dated” him for a month, but they never got intimate (insert eyeroll here). Then we’re told how “innocent” she is. Really? After their first intimate scene, Chase reflects on how Sophie’s “lack of experience” shows—reinforcing the near-virgin trope authors still peddle. Honestly, I’m stumped that in the 21st century, we’re still perpetuating the idea that women should arrive at the altar hymen intact. I’m not saying the FMC should be promiscuous, but if she’s had sex before, why do authors insist on portraying her as nearly virginal? Meanwhile, Chase’s sexual history is “sold” as normal, but he honestly came across as a man-wh0re. And that was fine—because he’s the man. But we’ll get to Chase.

Back to Sophie: she was vapid and spineless. Chase treated her like trash, and yet she clung to him like he was her lifeline. She was clingy over someone she barely knew. So much so, that she even got upset when he had to do reconnaissance, insisting he not leave her alone even though she was perfectly safe. Worse, she asked the most ridiculous questions: “Do you really think it’s necessary to arm yourself?” (They were dealing with the mob!) “Do you want to talk to your estranged father?” (He hated his father with a passion.) I swear, I can’t deal with FMCs like this anymore.

Then there was Chase… Usually, in these types of books, I find that authors write the MMCs better than the FMCs (the irony isn’t lost on me here, given that I’m talking about female authors). But in this one—and for the first time I can recall—I could not stand Chase. He was arrogant, rude, crass, and had absolutely nothing going for him. His line to Sophie—“It was just pussy, and I can get that anywhere”—was the cherry on the cake. I’ve never disliked a MMC this much. He was crude from the start, had sex on the brain, and showed zero interest in Sophie as a person until the last few chapters, when we’re suddenly meant to believe he wants her in his life. Chase had no redeeming qualities. Zero. Nada. Zilch. Maybe it was his age (twenty-six to Sophie’s twenty-four), but I couldn’t picture their relationship lasting beyond the lust. And believe me, lust was all they had. Again, I didn’t like Chase at all—and I liked Sophie even less for letting him treat her so disrespectfully.

There were a few things about this story I found downright gross. For example, Chase having lascivious thoughts about Sophie’s mother, recalling his teenage crush on her, and noting how Sophie looked like her—just a “lusher” version. Then both of them getting turned on by the fact that they were step-siblings (even though not related by blood), and by how “illicit” it felt. Sorry, but that was just disgusting.

And then, after one heart-to-heart conversation—after he’d treated her like garbage from the start—Chase suddenly does a complete 180 and says, “I’m not leaving you, Sophie. I’ll protect you with my life. You can count on that.” I was like, where did this come from? He’s hated and resented her all his life, and one talk leads him to pledging his life for her? Just no. There was no relationship build-up or emotional arc to support that moment.


I’ve read a lot of Lynn Raye Harris’s books, and for the most part, I enjoy them. This one, though, I downloaded because it was free—and I’m glad I didn’t pay for it. Something I’ve noticed about the FMCs in Harris’s books is that they’re all “too sweet.” I kid you not—this is exactly how Sophie describes the other FMCs from previous books in the series when she meets them: “They were all too sweet.” And it hit me—that’s the problem. The FMCs in Harris’s work feel like cut-out figures from a bygone era, pitching the patriarch’s idea of the “perfect” woman. This applies to all of them, except maybe Natasha in Black Heart. It’s disappointing.

That said, I do like the author’s writing style. She tells a story well—it’s just the characters that sometimes fall flat for me. I’m giving this one a rating of 2.

PS: The sex scene featuring Mendez and his friends-with-benefits partner, Sam, had no place in this book.
Profile Image for Diana Tan.
270 reviews8 followers
January 1, 2016
I was lucky enough to have received an ARC of Hot Protector because I couldn't wait to get my hands on this book. I wanted to read Chase's and Sophie's book already. Lynn Raye Harris did not disappoint. This is truly a fantastic, steamy and action-packed book. Chase and Sophie will keep you engrossed in their story from start to finish! Of course, there's a bonus! You get to meet the rest of the HOT team again. Win win win situation!
82 reviews
February 16, 2019
Very good

I think I'm getting old. Really enjoyed the storyline and the characters but the sex scenes took pages to describe and I ended up skipping pages of sex to get to the story. I am not a prude in the least but come on they could have been described in a page or so and not pages. I love Ms. Harris' stories and will continue to read them but please fill in with story and not so much description of sex..
Profile Image for Taanalea Kennedy.
52 reviews
December 31, 2015
Lynn Raye Harris has done it again. This book is HOT. All the books in the HOT series have been fantastic. Chase(Fiddler) and Sophie's story keeps you so into the book you will not want to put it down. Love that we saw lots of other members of the team in this book. Can't wait for the next book in the series. Hope to see Mendez and Blacks book soon.
Profile Image for Lisa.
1,236 reviews3 followers
February 19, 2021
I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
This was a seriously hot read! The chemistry whether taboo or not between Chase and Sophie was amazing and believable. This story was action packed and hard to put down! As usual, Ms. Harris delivered and left me wanting to read what happens next to the HOT team!
Profile Image for Laurie Gyd.
1,959 reviews9 followers
January 24, 2016
Hot & good reading

This is Chase(Seal) and Sophie's story. Sophie's is Chases stepsister-not blood related though. She asks Chase for his help, as she's on the run from a crazed Russian threatening her life. Chase and Sophie have an electric attraction to each other that they are having trouble denying. Lots of action, suspense, mind blowing sex, and loving.
Profile Image for lily bookscation.
490 reviews
March 24, 2021
There is a similarity between Sophie, Kayla, and Emily. They are the kind of person who made bad judgment and bad decisions but the other people have to face the consequences as well.

First, Emily made Victoria lost her career in the military. Then, because of Kayla, Bayle has to care for a baby when she was already struggling financially and not to mention that Bayley has no clue about raising a baby. Now, because of Sophie, Chase lost his apartment & car.
It’s one thing to make a mistake and face the consequences but it’s a whole another story when the other people become the collateral damage. These three women are the kind of people I can’t stand.

The loyalty between the team members makes it up for me to finish this story. All the HOT men and women would do anything to help and protect the other members.

In this story, there another theme I recognize. First, the "so-called" family ties. Sophie and Chase are supposed to be step sibling. Although they're not related by blood and never raised in the same house. And then, the body-shaming. Sophie is kinda abuse her body by starving herself in order to be skinny and "fit" into the beauty standard by society.

If I could, I want to say to Sophie, to eat whatever she wants as long as is healthy. Many people couldn't afford to buy the food they like or they couldn't eat whatever they want because of some medical condition.

For example, for people with GERD conditions, there is so much food they can't eat. People with diabetes should control what they eat, etc. So, eat up girl, better yet, eat healthily.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Jo-Ann Fitzgerald.
753 reviews2 followers
May 13, 2019
This is the 9th book of the series. However, you will understand more if you’ve read earlier books of this series.

If you want to read what the book is about, read above the reviews.

Our hero has just come home after a mission and he needs sleep. In fact, that’s what he was doing when there came a pounding on the door. He can’t see exactly who it is when he opens the door, but once he sees her, lets her in and she tells him about how someone’s following her and she needs help. However, before he can do anything more, his house is firebombed and they barely get away as his house is burning around them.

Our heroine connects up with a Russian who was pretending to be a love interest of hers. However, she overhears things and is threatened by him. When he has to leave to take care of something she runs with some information. However, she mails it to an address in Paris. Now she needs help staying safe and getting the proof to authorities before someone kills her.

The plot is interesting and the background of the hero and heroine, while strange, takes some understanding but throws in a complicated mix to the storyline. However, while they are trying to get the information back and find out what it all means, the hero and heroine finally act upon the chemistry they’ve had since their teen years. This just enhances the plot and you wanting to good guys to win.

I can’t wait for the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Cassy.
1,432 reviews57 followers
July 8, 2023
Usually step siblings is not my jam. 9 times out of ten, they mention the relationship way too much, or they were way too sibling like as kids and it squicks me out.

But Harris toed the line well. Most times the step-sibling relationship was mentioned in terms of how other people would view them, not because they cared themselves, or how it would effect their family. They hardly spent time together as kids, just a few summers when Chase was a teen. So that really made me enjoy the story more.

And This was the first story we saw the SEAL team in!!! I’ve missed my boys 😭😭😭 And I loved when Viking was going off on Chase for almost screwing up the OP and Iceman cut in “Would you be calm if that was Ivy?” “…….No.” 🤣 Honestly, it just makes me want to read the SEAL books again.

I did like Chase and Sophie together though. I liked their banter and their teasing and their talking and just… them. I love the overarching storyline that’s coming together. We’re about to find out (or kind already have) who has been behind most of the bad situations that have happened in these books (Like when Hawk was almost killed and his kid was kidnapped.) I think it’s all going to come to a head in Mendez’s book and I am SO. EXCITED.

This was a good installment and, while I liked Sophie and Chase, I wasn’t blown away by them and, truthfully, this book seemed more about moving the series plot along. So solid 3/5, edging towards 4
Profile Image for Donna Ferriola.
402 reviews1 follower
November 8, 2018
Hot Protector- Hostile Operations Team Novel

This was an exciting action packed love story as Chase falls in love with his step sister Sophie Nash. His father adopted her and never spent time with him his only real child. She came to him desperate for his help when she escaped from Androv with his flash drive containing all his business illicit business. They immediately found her and set his apartment on fire and they barely escaped alive. He called his ex Hot teammate Hawk who helped them by putting them up in a safe house and passports so they could retrieve the flash drive that she mailed to Tyler, her father's Paris apartment. With the help from Hawk, and Mendez who got Ian Black to be Chase's backup in Paris when the bad guys were after them. This was an a amazing adventure as they got safely to the U.S. with the information to take down Androv's network of human trafficing. I'm the meanti me Chase and Sophie fell in love as he was determine for her to see how beautiful she really was after her parents kept telling her she was fat. It was great how the HOT team came together to find Sophie when Androv kidnapped her at the end so he could sell her to a drug lord. This was a fantastic love story as Chase and Sophie got their happily ever after. I cannot wait to read the next release in this fabulous series.
3,108 reviews
January 15, 2019
Freaking loved it

Sophie is on the run for her life. She got mixed up in a Russian businessman who happens to be a killer and human trafficker. The only person she knows that can help her is Chase. Chase is military and part of the HOT Team, he is on R&R until a knock at his door at three in the morning. At first he doesn’t recognize Sophie until she tells him her name. She’s his stepsister, her mom married his dad. And he has hated her ever since. He thought she was the spoiled princess because his dad adopted her but wouldn’t even give Chase his last name. At first he thinks she’s just being dramatic until his place is set on fire. They go on the run but his guys can’t help him because it’s personal. She had a thumb drive that she mailed to Paris and they have to get to it before the Russians do. She is curvy and has always been told she needs to lose weight but Chase makes her feel sexy. He says to her “You’re gorgeous. The only ugly people are the ones who tell you that you need to change to suit their definition of beauty.” I thought that was the sexiest thing any guy could say.
Sex, fast paced action, and will keep you on the edge of your seat. They have a rough start in the beginning but Chase sees past her insecurities and finds the beauty in her. The sex will set your reader on fire!
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