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Cobalt Security #1
Without Warning
What the hell do you do when life changes on a dime without warning?
Ryder Freeman-
His job is to keep Harrison safe from a stalker and one step ahead of the paparazzi. That’s it! The hotter than hell young billionaire is forbidden fruit and crossing that line is not an option. So, why is it that when bullets start flying, Ryder makes an executive decision to take his client away to the Freeman family cabin?
Harrison Trudel-
His father’s last will and testament doesn’t mention a shot gun wedding, but it might as well have with its crazy stipulations! With his safety at risk and a company to run, he caves when his uncle brings in outside help in the form of a hot and sexy bodyguard. One who just happens to tick all of his boxes! Enter a picturesque cabin by a lake and all bets are off as far as Harrison is concerned.
Resolve gets tested…
Lines get blurred…
And suddenly anything seems possible.
Only there’s one problem, the stalker isn’t finished. Can Ryder and Harrison stay one step ahead of a killer bent on permanently removing Ryder out of his way?
Author note: In typical Reese Knightley style, Without Warning is a slow burn action & adventure romance with a big cast of characters and a definite HEA. This book is the first in a series, but can be enjoyed as a standalone.
Ryder Freeman-
His job is to keep Harrison safe from a stalker and one step ahead of the paparazzi. That’s it! The hotter than hell young billionaire is forbidden fruit and crossing that line is not an option. So, why is it that when bullets start flying, Ryder makes an executive decision to take his client away to the Freeman family cabin?
Harrison Trudel-
His father’s last will and testament doesn’t mention a shot gun wedding, but it might as well have with its crazy stipulations! With his safety at risk and a company to run, he caves when his uncle brings in outside help in the form of a hot and sexy bodyguard. One who just happens to tick all of his boxes! Enter a picturesque cabin by a lake and all bets are off as far as Harrison is concerned.
Resolve gets tested…
Lines get blurred…
And suddenly anything seems possible.
Only there’s one problem, the stalker isn’t finished. Can Ryder and Harrison stay one step ahead of a killer bent on permanently removing Ryder out of his way?
Author note: In typical Reese Knightley style, Without Warning is a slow burn action & adventure romance with a big cast of characters and a definite HEA. This book is the first in a series, but can be enjoyed as a standalone.
261 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 9, 2019
414 people are currently reading
511 people want to read
About the author
Reese Knightley
48 books579 followersReese Knightley spends her time creating stories from the characters rattling around in her head. Her love of reading mystery, action and adventure, and fantasy books led to her love of writing. Reese works as a full time writer. She loves to hear from her readers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
October 13, 2019
This book is fast-paced, action filled and suspenseful. I enjoyed the stalker angle especially with the twist in the end. That part was good. The MCs themselves were mildly interesting. I can't say I liked them that much. Harrison Trudel, the protectee, had the typical "I will do everything myself and throw myself in danger" vibe going on for the first part of the book, and that was annoying. Ryder Freeman, the bodyguard, had the snobbish attitude towards rich based on experience, so his internal musings were sort of amusing. Together they made nice couple.
The book was non stop with many things going on. And while I like a fast-paced story, one wanted a bit of downtime here. There was a bit of angst and romance but overall the book relied on constant barrage of events to carry it through. The book was okay.
The book was non stop with many things going on. And while I like a fast-paced story, one wanted a bit of downtime here. There was a bit of angst and romance but overall the book relied on constant barrage of events to carry it through. The book was okay.
March 29, 2024
Harrison no cree que las notas que ha estado recibiendo sean un problema, hasta que es atacado en el estacionamiento de su oficina. Así que ahora no tiene mas remedio que aceptar la propuesta de su tío de contratar un guardaespaldas. Pero el hombre que contrata es tan peligroso para él como el que lo acosa. Su atracción por su guardaespaldas puede ser un cliché, pero lo que comienza a sentir por él es lo mas real que ha sentido en mucho tiempo. Pero cuando su acosador comienza a hacerse mas violento, podrá Harrison aceptar que su guardaespaldas de su vida por él? Serán capaces de detenerlo antes de que pase algo peor?
Esta es una de esas lecturas sencillas, románticas, típicas del género, donde el "hombre protector" se enamora de su "joven inocente protegido". La trama no tiene muchas vueltas, el misterio del acosador se sabe en los primeros 5 capítulos, pero la historia es fácil de leer y entretiene. Es cierto, es como cientos de otros libros, pero por lo mismo resulta reconfortante sentarte a leer sabiendo lo que va a pasar, cuando va a pasar y como va a terminar todo.
En fin, tenia tiempo sin leer a este autor, y resulto exactamente lo que estaba esperando, así que voy a continuar con la serie, porque quiero saber como van a encontrar sus parejas el resto del equipo de guardaespaldas.
Esta es una de esas lecturas sencillas, románticas, típicas del género, donde el "hombre protector" se enamora de su "joven inocente protegido". La trama no tiene muchas vueltas, el misterio del acosador se sabe en los primeros 5 capítulos, pero la historia es fácil de leer y entretiene. Es cierto, es como cientos de otros libros, pero por lo mismo resulta reconfortante sentarte a leer sabiendo lo que va a pasar, cuando va a pasar y como va a terminar todo.
En fin, tenia tiempo sin leer a este autor, y resulto exactamente lo que estaba esperando, así que voy a continuar con la serie, porque quiero saber como van a encontrar sus parejas el resto del equipo de guardaespaldas.
October 15, 2019
How does a book with all these suspenseful elements still manage to be essentially boring? I mean we have two hot guys, a stalker, a mildly intersting twist (that I saw coming a mile away but whatever) and still I was not really moved ever.
Neither main character blew my socks off, together they managed to be sligthly warmer than lukewarm.
Too bad, I was really looking for a great new entry in this kind of genre.
*wanders off to find something else interesting*
Neither main character blew my socks off, together they managed to be sligthly warmer than lukewarm.
Too bad, I was really looking for a great new entry in this kind of genre.
*wanders off to find something else interesting*
00-mm-horrible-disaster-fail-dnf
November 1, 2019DNF!!!!! This was too horrible and aggravating to put into words!!
********************************************************
Also, in her acknowledgements this author addresses her FANS?!!!!?
Umm what fans and HELLO, anyone who likes REALLY HORRIFIC WRITING and reads this book, is a "fan" of the book, NOT you m'dear!! Wow what an over-sized - not to mention unwarranted and misplaced sense of self (importance)!! If the horrible writing weren't such a massive turnoff, this author's nonsense would be!! Dear, they're your READERS (all, maybe, TEN of them), not your fans, you're not Taylor Swift, and you need to calm down!!!
I might sound really irritated but that's because this was really really bad and the self-importance here was the cherry on this shit-cake!!!!
********************************************************
Also, in her acknowledgements this author addresses her FANS?!!!!?
Umm what fans and HELLO, anyone who likes REALLY HORRIFIC WRITING and reads this book, is a "fan" of the book, NOT you m'dear!! Wow what an over-sized - not to mention unwarranted and misplaced sense of self (importance)!! If the horrible writing weren't such a massive turnoff, this author's nonsense would be!! Dear, they're your READERS (all, maybe, TEN of them), not your fans, you're not Taylor Swift, and you need to calm down!!!
I might sound really irritated but that's because this was really really bad and the self-importance here was the cherry on this shit-cake!!!!
February 25, 2024
Well, idiotic rationale aside, this wasn't bad
I could have done without the random r**e being added to the murder carried out by the suspect, them being a psycho stalker was enough, really.
On top of the utterly unbelievable rationale for a few of the stalking attacks being able to happen because a company which actually deals in security video and cameras had its own systems offline for an upgrade for two weeks (I mean, even the ones you buy off a shelf can provide a backup!) made this a bit of a slog.
The two MCs were likeable enough, though, but there wasn't really anything new being brought to the bodyguard falls for his charge trope.
And, as an introduction to this series, it's not as good as the other openers have been at letting you get enough info about the organisation or the different people.
But, it's fast-paced, and there's a number of interesting characters that flash through the pages that I'm looking forward to reading more about.
I also liked that it wasn't the tried and boring "family member" behind all the scheming trope too, it was nice that Harrison did have people who were in his corner genuinely.
I could have done without the random r**e being added to the murder carried out by the suspect, them being a psycho stalker was enough, really.
On top of the utterly unbelievable rationale for a few of the stalking attacks being able to happen because a company which actually deals in security video and cameras had its own systems offline for an upgrade for two weeks (I mean, even the ones you buy off a shelf can provide a backup!) made this a bit of a slog.
The two MCs were likeable enough, though, but there wasn't really anything new being brought to the bodyguard falls for his charge trope.
And, as an introduction to this series, it's not as good as the other openers have been at letting you get enough info about the organisation or the different people.
But, it's fast-paced, and there's a number of interesting characters that flash through the pages that I'm looking forward to reading more about.
I also liked that it wasn't the tried and boring "family member" behind all the scheming trope too, it was nice that Harrison did have people who were in his corner genuinely.
February 4, 2021
I could see that some effort was put into the crime parts but I didn't like it much. I thought this one was going to be primarily crime but it was not so I didn't enjoy it as much as I would have otherwise.
February 27, 2024
Without Warning
By Reese Knightley
Harrison is being stalked. First he receives dead flowers and threats. Then he's attacked. His Uncle calls in a favor for a bodyguard. He may be rich, but he's not a snob. He may be an important man, but he's vulnerable and scared.
Ryder is getting tired of protecting self-entitled rich men and figures Harrison will just be one more in a long line of them, but he's not like the other rich men Ryder has protected before. Saving Harrison from a shooter only makes him more determined to protect the man he's come to love.
This was a really engaging book. It kept me interested and eager to see what happened next and to get to the end to see who the stalker really is. There are 3 obvious suspects throughout the book. Though one is eliminated at one point. Everytime you get a hint as to which of the remaining 2 it is things later change and you find yourself doubting what you thought.
The book is in both Ryder and Harrison's POV. The angst level is medium.
By Reese Knightley
Harrison is being stalked. First he receives dead flowers and threats. Then he's attacked. His Uncle calls in a favor for a bodyguard. He may be rich, but he's not a snob. He may be an important man, but he's vulnerable and scared.
Ryder is getting tired of protecting self-entitled rich men and figures Harrison will just be one more in a long line of them, but he's not like the other rich men Ryder has protected before. Saving Harrison from a shooter only makes him more determined to protect the man he's come to love.
This was a really engaging book. It kept me interested and eager to see what happened next and to get to the end to see who the stalker really is. There are 3 obvious suspects throughout the book. Though one is eliminated at one point. Everytime you get a hint as to which of the remaining 2 it is things later change and you find yourself doubting what you thought.
The book is in both Ryder and Harrison's POV. The angst level is medium.
October 12, 2019
4.5 Great stars
Storng Alfa men- ✔
Action seasoned with love - ✔
Reese's affection for strong Alfa men is known throughout her all books, and here in this book, too
Ryder was hired to be Harrison's bodyguard and find out who is threatening him
The book is seasoned with lots of action and of course there is romance (There is an improvement on the subject 😜😜 -LOL)
There is no dull moment in the story and definitely recommended
I'm already waiting for the next book in the series and hope it will be very soon
Storng Alfa men- ✔
Action seasoned with love - ✔
Reese's affection for strong Alfa men is known throughout her all books, and here in this book, too
Ryder was hired to be Harrison's bodyguard and find out who is threatening him
The book is seasoned with lots of action and of course there is romance (There is an improvement on the subject 😜😜 -LOL)
There is no dull moment in the story and definitely recommended
I'm already waiting for the next book in the series and hope it will be very soon
September 11, 2020
I really had a great time reading this book. Harrison's cluelessness with all his admirers was hilarious to witness. He just didn't get it. A mystery with a lovely romance thrown in? Sign me up. Can't wait for the rest of the series.
October 14, 2022
Entretenido para pasar el rato.
En una semana ni me acuerdo de qué iba....
En una semana ni me acuerdo de qué iba....
February 13, 2025
Possible Triggers: Assault, Drug Trafficking, Physical Abuse, Mental Illness and numerous others
Ryder Freeman: His job is to keep Harrison safe from a stalker and one step ahead of the paparazzi. That’s it! The hotter than hell young billionaire is forbidden fruit and crossing that line is not an option.
Harrison’s uncle insists on hiring a bodyguard after learning that his nephew was receiving threatening messages from an unknown source. He hires Cobalt security, the company that Ryder works for, and they send him right away. This was not an assignment that Ryder wanted, since last thing he wants is to play babysitter to a rich, spoiled businessman, who as far as he is concerned is out of touch with the realities of how the lower-class lives. But the longer he's around Harrison the more glimpses he catches into who the man "behind the suit" really is, tempting him to want to stick around through the escalating threats to Harrison's safety.
After the divorce Ryder recognizes what he had suspected for some time...that he's bisexual. Now he tries hard to deny his attraction to Harrison lest history repeat itself. Harrison, however, has his own thoughts on the matter, and when they run to the safety of a private lakeside cabin, the denying is all over.
Sounds like everything worked out...Right? So why the 2-star rating? The actions of the two main characters were immature, for lack of a better word. They were more like spoiled-rotten, immature children than full-grown adults. They both were prone to "drop of a hat", temper tantrums over things that didn't amount to a "hill of beans". Their moods shifted wildly; for example...Harrison reacted in shock when Ryder mentioned his parents. We are given no clue as to why he reacted that way, it was never explained. Ryder replies, “Uh yeah, parents, I have those, I was born", which I have to admit was a fairly clever response, and one that should have been the end of it... but then the whole next few pages are about Ryder being mopey and sad about Harrison’s "weird reaction"???? The whole story seemed like the plot of several different stories were spliced together and sold as a new story...like the "I must-marry-to-inherit" comment that took up several pages and had absolutely no bearing on the story in any way. It was just... there.
I've read this author before and really liked her writing...this was nothing like her other books in any way, shape, or form. I believe the biggest 'turn-off" for me, and I offer this as a warning, was the comment that appeared to be trying to normalize prison rape, which absolutely no one should be encouraging. I don't believe the average adult reader with even 20% intelligence, needs it explained in any amount of detail, much less "normalized". This really did surprise me.
Ryder Freeman: His job is to keep Harrison safe from a stalker and one step ahead of the paparazzi. That’s it! The hotter than hell young billionaire is forbidden fruit and crossing that line is not an option.
Harrison’s uncle insists on hiring a bodyguard after learning that his nephew was receiving threatening messages from an unknown source. He hires Cobalt security, the company that Ryder works for, and they send him right away. This was not an assignment that Ryder wanted, since last thing he wants is to play babysitter to a rich, spoiled businessman, who as far as he is concerned is out of touch with the realities of how the lower-class lives. But the longer he's around Harrison the more glimpses he catches into who the man "behind the suit" really is, tempting him to want to stick around through the escalating threats to Harrison's safety.
After the divorce Ryder recognizes what he had suspected for some time...that he's bisexual. Now he tries hard to deny his attraction to Harrison lest history repeat itself. Harrison, however, has his own thoughts on the matter, and when they run to the safety of a private lakeside cabin, the denying is all over.
Sounds like everything worked out...Right? So why the 2-star rating? The actions of the two main characters were immature, for lack of a better word. They were more like spoiled-rotten, immature children than full-grown adults. They both were prone to "drop of a hat", temper tantrums over things that didn't amount to a "hill of beans". Their moods shifted wildly; for example...Harrison reacted in shock when Ryder mentioned his parents. We are given no clue as to why he reacted that way, it was never explained. Ryder replies, “Uh yeah, parents, I have those, I was born", which I have to admit was a fairly clever response, and one that should have been the end of it... but then the whole next few pages are about Ryder being mopey and sad about Harrison’s "weird reaction"???? The whole story seemed like the plot of several different stories were spliced together and sold as a new story...like the "I must-marry-to-inherit" comment that took up several pages and had absolutely no bearing on the story in any way. It was just... there.
I've read this author before and really liked her writing...this was nothing like her other books in any way, shape, or form. I believe the biggest 'turn-off" for me, and I offer this as a warning, was the comment that appeared to be trying to normalize prison rape, which absolutely no one should be encouraging. I don't believe the average adult reader with even 20% intelligence, needs it explained in any amount of detail, much less "normalized". This really did surprise me.
November 13, 2024
A Joyfully Jay review.
3 stars
I generally enjoy bodyguard romances, but this one didn’t hit totally right for me. For the beginning of a series, I felt the pacing of the story was hampered by too much time spent introducing characters (from both the Trudel and Cobalt security companies, as well as Ryder’s sprawling family) who had nothing to do with this story. I’m used to adversarial starts, but the insta-attraction in the wake of it felt off. I struggled to connect to either MC, maybe because so many things seemed predestined.
The resolution to the story was grisly, and I wasn’t actually expecting how dark it got. I think the blurb is misleading, so my frustration with pacing was exacerbated by the visceral recoil I experienced in the ending chapters.
Read Veronica’s review in its entirety here.
3 stars
I generally enjoy bodyguard romances, but this one didn’t hit totally right for me. For the beginning of a series, I felt the pacing of the story was hampered by too much time spent introducing characters (from both the Trudel and Cobalt security companies, as well as Ryder’s sprawling family) who had nothing to do with this story. I’m used to adversarial starts, but the insta-attraction in the wake of it felt off. I struggled to connect to either MC, maybe because so many things seemed predestined.
The resolution to the story was grisly, and I wasn’t actually expecting how dark it got. I think the blurb is misleading, so my frustration with pacing was exacerbated by the visceral recoil I experienced in the ending chapters.
Read Veronica’s review in its entirety here.
August 7, 2025
**Audiobook Review**
From start to finish, I was soooooo invested in this bodyguard romance. Ryder and Harrison journey til the end was lovely. It started off major rocky tho...LOL..It took a bit for them to get along...to even like each other...but you know what close quarters will do...make or break and in this case, made their chemistry and bond strengthen. The subplot kept me on my toes ...had me guessing all the time who was the stalker...so that was exciting. Meeting Ryder's family was great and just meeting the Cobalt Security crew had entertaining elements along with the serious nature of catching that cray cray loon of a stalker. Harrison was such a sweet young man and I'm so happy he found his true love in Ryder. That ending mannnnnnnn...had me smiling like crazy...this had a soooooooo satisfying HEA. Love it! Oh yeah the narrator was on point...love him too...LOL!
From start to finish, I was soooooo invested in this bodyguard romance. Ryder and Harrison journey til the end was lovely. It started off major rocky tho...LOL..It took a bit for them to get along...to even like each other...but you know what close quarters will do...make or break and in this case, made their chemistry and bond strengthen. The subplot kept me on my toes ...had me guessing all the time who was the stalker...so that was exciting. Meeting Ryder's family was great and just meeting the Cobalt Security crew had entertaining elements along with the serious nature of catching that cray cray loon of a stalker. Harrison was such a sweet young man and I'm so happy he found his true love in Ryder. That ending mannnnnnnn...had me smiling like crazy...this had a soooooooo satisfying HEA. Love it! Oh yeah the narrator was on point...love him too...LOL!
May 14, 2024
This was my first book from this author and I will definitely be reading more. It was fast paced and the characters and storyline held my attention throughout. On the downside I could have handled a bit more steam but that’s just my opinion. Overall a solid five star read.
December 10, 2019
Doesn’t Quite Get There
The story starts well, but as it progresses it devolves into plot-driven-characters instead of the moe preferred character-driven-plot. The result is not that interesting. It’s unbelievable that a multi-billion dollar company whose primary product is corporate security would have ALL of its internal security compromised by shutting down ALL internal video cams for even an hour. This book has them shut down for several weeks AND NO ONE IS CONCERNED? I nearly quit at that point but decided to take a chance the story might redeem itself.
It does not. Instead, the “experienced” body guard from a very well respected security company decides moving the client to a secure location is necessary but leaving behind the client’s unsecured cell phone is not? At this point I realized the storyline was more concerned about the planned sex scenes than any sort of real situation or plot integrity.
My advice is leave the book on the shelf.
The story starts well, but as it progresses it devolves into plot-driven-characters instead of the moe preferred character-driven-plot. The result is not that interesting. It’s unbelievable that a multi-billion dollar company whose primary product is corporate security would have ALL of its internal security compromised by shutting down ALL internal video cams for even an hour. This book has them shut down for several weeks AND NO ONE IS CONCERNED? I nearly quit at that point but decided to take a chance the story might redeem itself.
It does not. Instead, the “experienced” body guard from a very well respected security company decides moving the client to a secure location is necessary but leaving behind the client’s unsecured cell phone is not? At this point I realized the storyline was more concerned about the planned sex scenes than any sort of real situation or plot integrity.
My advice is leave the book on the shelf.
October 12, 2019
All the action and all the sweetness
Reese did it again with her new series. I loved Ryder and Harrison. They worked well as a pair and without.
Their story was sweet and fun and full of those action sequences that Reese is known for in her writing.
I enjoyed this different direction with the bodyguard. We were introduced to Cobalt Security at the end of book 4 of the Phoenix books.
The relationship between Ryder and Harrison was a lovely slow burn as Ryder learned to trust Harrison and Harrison felt enough to give his heart away.
The action sequences were gripping and I was glued to the page, hoping for a good result.
If you love action, the awesome bodyguard and slow burn, take this lovely book for a ride. You won’t regret it
Reese did it again with her new series. I loved Ryder and Harrison. They worked well as a pair and without.
Their story was sweet and fun and full of those action sequences that Reese is known for in her writing.
I enjoyed this different direction with the bodyguard. We were introduced to Cobalt Security at the end of book 4 of the Phoenix books.
The relationship between Ryder and Harrison was a lovely slow burn as Ryder learned to trust Harrison and Harrison felt enough to give his heart away.
The action sequences were gripping and I was glued to the page, hoping for a good result.
If you love action, the awesome bodyguard and slow burn, take this lovely book for a ride. You won’t regret it
October 14, 2019
Without Warning!
Total Rating: 3.9 Stars out of 5
Rating Review Rollout:
(1) Blurb vs Story matchup: 4 🌟🌟🌟🌟
(2) Character Development: 4 🌟🌟🌟🌟
(3) Danger/Drama/Thrills/Chills: 5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
(4) Editing/Proofreading: 4 🌟🌟🌟🌟
(5) Entertainment Value: 4 🌟🌟🌟🌟
(6) Feeling the Words: 4 🌟🌟🌟🌟
(7) Flow of the Story: 3 🌟🌟🌟
(8) Keeps my Attention: 4 🌟🌟🌟🌟
(9) MC Appeal: 4 🌟🌟🌟🌟
(10) MC Backstory: 4 🌟🌟🌟🌟
(11) MC Chemistry: 4 🌟🌟🌟🌟
(12) MC Love Connection: 3 🌟🌟🌟
(13) Plot Worthiness: 5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
(14) Sexy Sex Scenes: 3 🌟🌟🌟
(15) Wrap Up of Loose Ends: 4 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Total Rating: 3.9 Stars out of 5
Rating Review Rollout:
(1) Blurb vs Story matchup: 4 🌟🌟🌟🌟
(2) Character Development: 4 🌟🌟🌟🌟
(3) Danger/Drama/Thrills/Chills: 5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
(4) Editing/Proofreading: 4 🌟🌟🌟🌟
(5) Entertainment Value: 4 🌟🌟🌟🌟
(6) Feeling the Words: 4 🌟🌟🌟🌟
(7) Flow of the Story: 3 🌟🌟🌟
(8) Keeps my Attention: 4 🌟🌟🌟🌟
(9) MC Appeal: 4 🌟🌟🌟🌟
(10) MC Backstory: 4 🌟🌟🌟🌟
(11) MC Chemistry: 4 🌟🌟🌟🌟
(12) MC Love Connection: 3 🌟🌟🌟
(13) Plot Worthiness: 5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
(14) Sexy Sex Scenes: 3 🌟🌟🌟
(15) Wrap Up of Loose Ends: 4 🌟🌟🌟🌟
December 13, 2019
I ❤️ a good bodyguard story!
June 30, 2020
This was my favorite book so far by Reese Knightley (and I’ve read eight so far). They are all action-packed with big, strong alpha males stepping in to save the day and take out the bad guys. A subgenre I seem quite fond of these days.
Now, I know that when reading this kind of fiction you accept that certain things are just fiction; not realistic, not likely to happen in real life etc.
But some things have to be realistic. And that brings me to the one big issue I had with this book – the security system.
Harrison owns a multi-million dollar company. Their business is video surveillance:
Yet in this story everything happens during a time when their own security system is down. For two weeks. For a planned upgrade. A company that makes a more than healthy living from providing security systems to other companies. And their video feed/security system is down for weeks for a planned upgrade?! No. Just no. Absolutely not.
This is not just me harping on a tiny detail. This issue is big in the book and is mentioned several times. They would have caught the bad guys on page 20 if the system had been running.
I just think there are better ways to explain a lack of video recordings than having the whole security system of a security system company be down for upgrade....
So why did I still love this book so much? Probably because of Harrison. He was a genuinely kind person. And while suffering from bouts of anxiety due to past experiences, he wasn’t shy about going after Ryder.
Ryder himself had some misgivings about getting involved with a client, which made sense. But they worked through that and after the final showdown I got a really sweet ending.
Now, I know that when reading this kind of fiction you accept that certain things are just fiction; not realistic, not likely to happen in real life etc.
But some things have to be realistic. And that brings me to the one big issue I had with this book – the security system.
Harrison owns a multi-million dollar company. Their business is video surveillance:
The company was on the cutting edge of a new surveillance software program that had taken the country by storm. Trudel Industries had single handedly shut out the competition by handling both the application software and installation of real time camera placement for their customers.
Yet in this story everything happens during a time when their own security system is down. For two weeks. For a planned upgrade. A company that makes a more than healthy living from providing security systems to other companies. And their video feed/security system is down for weeks for a planned upgrade?! No. Just no. Absolutely not.
This is not just me harping on a tiny detail. This issue is big in the book and is mentioned several times. They would have caught the bad guys on page 20 if the system had been running.
I just think there are better ways to explain a lack of video recordings than having the whole security system of a security system company be down for upgrade....
So why did I still love this book so much? Probably because of Harrison. He was a genuinely kind person. And while suffering from bouts of anxiety due to past experiences, he wasn’t shy about going after Ryder.
Ryder himself had some misgivings about getting involved with a client, which made sense. But they worked through that and after the final showdown I got a really sweet ending.
May 25, 2023
📚Book Review📚
Book: Without Warning
Author: Reese Knightley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: MM Romantic Suspense 🌈
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Pub Date: October 9, 2019
Ryder-Big hulking security guy just off the end of a divorce from a rich snob.
Harrison- “rich snob” in need of a bodyguard from a stalker.
Before Logan can even get the words out of his about about his new protection detail Ryder is already saying no. Just knowing that it’s in Denver is enough. When Ryder meets Harrison sure he’s HAF 😜 but he’s just another rich snob but he seems drawn to the man and loves to get under his skin.
Harrison’s fathers will stipulates that in order for him to get the controlling shares of the company he must be married by a certain age. And of course the news gets wind of this and he has every Tom, Dick and Harry proposing to him. But he wants someone who loves him for him not his money.
When the stalker escalates and Ryder takes Harrison to a remote cabin the line between client and bodyguard are blurred. Ryder isn’t sure if this is just a case of hero worship or if this is the real deal, Harrison isn’t just the rich snob he originally thought, there is so much more under the surface….
I generally stay away from billionaire story lines they generally don’t hold my interest but Harrison becomes such a loveable character and he’s not consumed with his money and it’s doesn’t take presidents over the whole story! I love meeting some of the guys from Colbalt security, I hope that there’s more books to come as I did see some tension brewing with a few characters in this book! #bookreview #bookrecommendations#mmromance #mmbooks#gayromance #mmmilitaryromance #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #reeseknightley #colbaltsecruity #harrisonandryder
May 8, 2022
I really didn't like this book much. This is a new to me author so idk if it's her or just this book. I don't think I'll read her again unless it's for a challenge.
I had a few huge issues with the story.
The will. Harrison's dad made his will so that Harrison would forfeit the company and the money unless he was married by 26. But his dad died in a freak accident when he was 24 and the stipulations of the will were a surprise. So was his dad going to tell him about it before he turned 26? Or was he going to keep changing the will?
When Harrison and Ryder were starting to get to know each other. Harrison asked Ryder about his family and Ryder blew him off. Then further along in the book Ryder begrudgingly calls his dad for a favor. Which would lead the readers to believe Ryder didn't get along with his family. But nope. Everything was fine with his family. I really don't understand why we were lead to believe they were horrible.
The last issue I had is the biggest. If Ryder took Harrison away to hide from his stalker, why the fuck did they have their cell phones and laptops? And why did they use them constantly? Ryder thought the stalker found them because a reporter (also don't understand why Harrison was followed by paparazzi constantly but I'm not getting into that) saw them in a neighboring city. Which is what actually happened in the book. But I think we can all agree that they shouldn't have been using devices connected to the internet when they were supposed to be off grid until the stalker was caught.
And I'm going to stop there because I really could go on but now I'm feeling a bit mean.
I had a few huge issues with the story.
The will. Harrison's dad made his will so that Harrison would forfeit the company and the money unless he was married by 26. But his dad died in a freak accident when he was 24 and the stipulations of the will were a surprise. So was his dad going to tell him about it before he turned 26? Or was he going to keep changing the will?
When Harrison and Ryder were starting to get to know each other. Harrison asked Ryder about his family and Ryder blew him off. Then further along in the book Ryder begrudgingly calls his dad for a favor. Which would lead the readers to believe Ryder didn't get along with his family. But nope. Everything was fine with his family. I really don't understand why we were lead to believe they were horrible.
The last issue I had is the biggest. If Ryder took Harrison away to hide from his stalker, why the fuck did they have their cell phones and laptops? And why did they use them constantly? Ryder thought the stalker found them because a reporter (also don't understand why Harrison was followed by paparazzi constantly but I'm not getting into that) saw them in a neighboring city. Which is what actually happened in the book. But I think we can all agree that they shouldn't have been using devices connected to the internet when they were supposed to be off grid until the stalker was caught.
And I'm going to stop there because I really could go on but now I'm feeling a bit mean.
January 17, 2025
Ryder Freeman's job is to keep Harrison safe from a stalker and one step ahead of the paparazzi. That’s it! The hotter than hell young billionaire is forbidden fruit and crossing that line is not an option. So, why is it that when bullets start flying, Ryder makes an executive decision to take his client away to the Freeman family cabin? Harrison Trudel's father’s last will and testament doesn’t mention a shot gun wedding, but it might as well have with its crazy stipulations! With his safety at risk and a company to run, he caves when his uncle brings in outside help in the form of a hot and sexy bodyguard. One who just happens to tick all of his boxes! Enter a picturesque cabin by a lake and all bets are off as far as Harrison is concerned. Resolve gets tested. Lines get blurred. And suddenly anything seems possible. Only there’s one problem, the stalker isn’t finished. Can Ryder and Harrison stay one step ahead of a killer bent on permanently removing Ryder out of his way?
I loved this story of the two men who met when Harrison had a stalker and Ryder had to protect him. I loved the family cabin setting and what that did to their relationship. Easy to read, feel and understand, this book had a fair amount of emotions and feelings. This was an MM story with mature content.
I loved this story of the two men who met when Harrison had a stalker and Ryder had to protect him. I loved the family cabin setting and what that did to their relationship. Easy to read, feel and understand, this book had a fair amount of emotions and feelings. This was an MM story with mature content.
October 17, 2023
I really enjoyed this series. It had many twists and turns and the ending was unsure until it happened. In this book, Harrison is a young billionaire who inherited control of his company after his father's death. His father's will requires him to marry in less than a year to keep the company. Now, interested men seem to be coming out of the woodwork and friends are a too pushy. He's receiving death threats and attacks, so his uncle hires a security firm to watch over him after his last security guard was killed while protecting him.
Ryder is still smarting from his recent, yet wanted, divorce from a wealthy, cheating man. Now, he's reluctant to agree to be assigned to another billionaire, but he agrees. Harrison is attractive, but prickly and oppositional to Ryder's protective services. As time goes by, danger mounts and mutual attraction grows. Can these two men survive the danger and explore their future together? This book keeps the action going. It has supportive family and friends, lots of passion, a very satisfying HEA, and a beautiful forever love. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
Ryder is still smarting from his recent, yet wanted, divorce from a wealthy, cheating man. Now, he's reluctant to agree to be assigned to another billionaire, but he agrees. Harrison is attractive, but prickly and oppositional to Ryder's protective services. As time goes by, danger mounts and mutual attraction grows. Can these two men survive the danger and explore their future together? This book keeps the action going. It has supportive family and friends, lots of passion, a very satisfying HEA, and a beautiful forever love. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
Read
October 14, 2024Not sure how I feel about this one. I was enjoying it for the most part (once you suspend disbelief over a highly renowned security company having whole systems down for upgrades in multiple high stakes locations simultaneously, for THAT long, with no back-up of any kind).
The MCs are cute together, the appearances of other side characters are enough to give you a taste without being overwhelmed by the supporting cast.
[spoilers!] But the book is over and I’m not enjoying happy feelings over a HEA, I’m sitting here feeling sick to my stomach over Shelby. Jfc, the poor guy’s worst crime was not knowing how to take a hint, could you not have let him be abducted, used to threaten/entice Harrison to comply and then be found and rescued? Give the poor boy some trauma if you must, then his own HEA?? I know stuff that like ‘raises the stakes’ but..it’s also horrifying and overpowered everything that happened after.
I’m going to try book 2 but if there are more incidents like that, I’m going to have to move on. It’s just not my idea of a fun read.
The MCs are cute together, the appearances of other side characters are enough to give you a taste without being overwhelmed by the supporting cast.
[spoilers!] But the book is over and I’m not enjoying happy feelings over a HEA, I’m sitting here feeling sick to my stomach over Shelby. Jfc, the poor guy’s worst crime was not knowing how to take a hint, could you not have let him be abducted, used to threaten/entice Harrison to comply and then be found and rescued? Give the poor boy some trauma if you must, then his own HEA?? I know stuff that like ‘raises the stakes’ but..it’s also horrifying and overpowered everything that happened after.
I’m going to try book 2 but if there are more incidents like that, I’m going to have to move on. It’s just not my idea of a fun read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 3, 2024
Really good action in the book - we’ve got trained bodyguards and security, a little bit of mystery and some shots and stalkery. It was a good read.
I’m not big into the whole trope of one MC being perfect and lovely and having everyone around them in love, so that was not good for me because apparently every single person around Harrison was in love or at least interested in him? And what happened with the ex? And why didn’t his uncle worry about him a little more when the threats were getting worse?
And then, Ryder (what a fucking strong and sexy name btw). What’s with him and his whole “no, I can’t be with a rich man again” and then “but I’m your bodyguard” and then his whole 180 in literally a minute? And why didn’t we get more of an explanation about Warren, or about their background and their marriage?
And what’s up with the many unexplained subplots? Like what’s going on with Hayden and Brick? And Jaxon and Gunner? Where do they all come from and how and why?
Idk, it was good but it had its holes, and they showed.
I’m not big into the whole trope of one MC being perfect and lovely and having everyone around them in love, so that was not good for me because apparently every single person around Harrison was in love or at least interested in him? And what happened with the ex? And why didn’t his uncle worry about him a little more when the threats were getting worse?
And then, Ryder (what a fucking strong and sexy name btw). What’s with him and his whole “no, I can’t be with a rich man again” and then “but I’m your bodyguard” and then his whole 180 in literally a minute? And why didn’t we get more of an explanation about Warren, or about their background and their marriage?
And what’s up with the many unexplained subplots? Like what’s going on with Hayden and Brick? And Jaxon and Gunner? Where do they all come from and how and why?
Idk, it was good but it had its holes, and they showed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
dnf
October 12, 2022Oh my cow, he's not just rich, he also likes specialty coffee? Now that changes everything. Better put a ring on it...
*sigh*
I was ignoring a few issues already but 34% of this is as far as I can got. The side characters, practically all of them and there are way too many, are so annoying, the protectee MC is pretty much as well, he's also a pushover - to everyone but the MC, who was given a very specific and sensitive reason to dislike him just to also give them an instant connection and build their feelings even as they snipe at each other. It's not a bad thing neccesserily, but it makes me think Angst and Drama, both of which I don't need in my romance.
A failed experiment, an unfulfilled connection. I am sure some people like this book, I can't say I did.
*sigh*
I was ignoring a few issues already but 34% of this is as far as I can got. The side characters, practically all of them and there are way too many, are so annoying, the protectee MC is pretty much as well, he's also a pushover - to everyone but the MC, who was given a very specific and sensitive reason to dislike him just to also give them an instant connection and build their feelings even as they snipe at each other. It's not a bad thing neccesserily, but it makes me think Angst and Drama, both of which I don't need in my romance.
A failed experiment, an unfulfilled connection. I am sure some people like this book, I can't say I did.
September 24, 2024
Audio: 5 stars for Declan Winters (audio can be found on Everand)
Book: 2-2.5 stars
While there were parts I enjoyed, for the most part it was bland... idk I must have higher expectations than I think for books, because I just wasn't feeling it, but I wanted to finish a book so I pushed through...
I think I have tried one other Reese Knightly book and had the same issues, of everything being surface level, and the way it was written was choppy.. I couldn't feel the romantic connection between Harrison and Ryder... It was very rushed..
I also called it for who the stalker was.
Overall I don't think this author is for me, but I am happy to see other people enjoyed this book!
Book: 2-2.5 stars
While there were parts I enjoyed, for the most part it was bland... idk I must have higher expectations than I think for books, because I just wasn't feeling it, but I wanted to finish a book so I pushed through...
I think I have tried one other Reese Knightly book and had the same issues, of everything being surface level, and the way it was written was choppy.. I couldn't feel the romantic connection between Harrison and Ryder... It was very rushed..
I also called it for who the stalker was.
Overall I don't think this author is for me, but I am happy to see other people enjoyed this book!
November 2, 2020
Love Bodyguard Books
This was my first book by this author and I absolutely loved it. The things I loved about this book were how the writer had the big tough bodyguard (Ryder) try to fight his growing feelings and finally giving in, and how Harrison never flaunted his wealth and was always trying to please everyone. Of course having Ryder protecting Harrison from a crazed stalker and lots of steamy sex always makes for a good book too. Lots of other friends and family to continue this series along with an epilogue and a HEA help wrap up this book. Highly recommend this series and can't wait to read book 2.
This was my first book by this author and I absolutely loved it. The things I loved about this book were how the writer had the big tough bodyguard (Ryder) try to fight his growing feelings and finally giving in, and how Harrison never flaunted his wealth and was always trying to please everyone. Of course having Ryder protecting Harrison from a crazed stalker and lots of steamy sex always makes for a good book too. Lots of other friends and family to continue this series along with an epilogue and a HEA help wrap up this book. Highly recommend this series and can't wait to read book 2.
March 30, 2021
3.75⭐
This is my first introduction to the author and series, and Without Warning was a satisfying and engaging read. That had a nice mix of suspense and romance. But it never really captured my imagination, and Harrison, and Ryder didn't really excite me as a couple. Furthermore, the revelation as to who the stalker was didn't necessarily come as a surprise, but the confrontation did have me on the edge-of-my-seat. And the characters from Cobalt Security, and Ryder's family were interesting and likable; and as starts to series go this one certainly had potential. So much so, I would check out more books from the series and author in the future.
This is my first introduction to the author and series, and Without Warning was a satisfying and engaging read. That had a nice mix of suspense and romance. But it never really captured my imagination, and Harrison, and Ryder didn't really excite me as a couple. Furthermore, the revelation as to who the stalker was didn't necessarily come as a surprise, but the confrontation did have me on the edge-of-my-seat. And the characters from Cobalt Security, and Ryder's family were interesting and likable; and as starts to series go this one certainly had potential. So much so, I would check out more books from the series and author in the future.
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