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Protect and Serve #1
Gunnar's Guardian
Aside from being a cop, Kennedy is used to living a quiet life. But when a new neighbor moves in next door, his peaceful days are at an end.
Gunnar pushes all Kennedy’s buttons. He’s rude, cocky, and overconfident. He’s also sexy, and Kennedy can’t deny the attraction that simmers between them.
He helps Gunnar find a job at the local firehouse, where the younger man seems to fit in well. As they grow closer, tragedy strikes. Will Kennedy be able to save the man who’s become his whole life?
Gunnar’s Guardian is the first book in the Protect and Serve Series and features a sexy cop, his annoying neighbor, hot firefighters, and an arsonist on the loose.
Gunnar pushes all Kennedy’s buttons. He’s rude, cocky, and overconfident. He’s also sexy, and Kennedy can’t deny the attraction that simmers between them.
He helps Gunnar find a job at the local firehouse, where the younger man seems to fit in well. As they grow closer, tragedy strikes. Will Kennedy be able to save the man who’s become his whole life?
Gunnar’s Guardian is the first book in the Protect and Serve Series and features a sexy cop, his annoying neighbor, hot firefighters, and an arsonist on the loose.
374 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 7, 2020
221 people are currently reading
309 people want to read
About the author
Pandora Pine
136 books607 followersSick of the slogging rat-race of her 9-5 job, Pandora Pine put pen to paper (literally!) to make her ambition of becoming a romance novelist a reality. She cut her teeth in the dog-eat-dog world of fanfiction, still dreaming of the day when she would be a published author. She lives in Massachusetts with her blabbermouth muse who’ s a fan of middle of the night plot twists.
In her spare time, Pandora fancies herself an amateur nature photographer. She enjoys mucking around in swamps, hiking through the woods and crawling around on her hands and knees in her backyard seeking out the perfect shot. Pandora is a fan of roadside seafood shacks and always thinks Mexican food is a good idea at the time.
Some of Pandora’s favorite things are chocolate, writing longhand with purple pens and handsome men falling in love with each other.
Don't miss Pandora’s seductive new novel coming soon to an e-reader near you.
In her spare time, Pandora fancies herself an amateur nature photographer. She enjoys mucking around in swamps, hiking through the woods and crawling around on her hands and knees in her backyard seeking out the perfect shot. Pandora is a fan of roadside seafood shacks and always thinks Mexican food is a good idea at the time.
Some of Pandora’s favorite things are chocolate, writing longhand with purple pens and handsome men falling in love with each other.
Don't miss Pandora’s seductive new novel coming soon to an e-reader near you.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews
October 10, 2020
2 stars!
Story: ⭐⭐
Main Characters: ⭐⭐
Cover: ⭐⭐
While I was expecting hot firefigthers and sexy cops solving a suspensful arson investigation, I got ... well, if I just knew what I got, writing a review would be much easier, but it seems like this book wanted to be too many things at once.
Kennedy is a cop with a difficult past. He seems grumpy and unapproachable at times, but when his new neighbor, Gunnar moves in next door, Kennedy feels instantly attracked to the cocky young man. While their first encounter is a little bit rocky, Kennedy quickly understands that Gunnar needs help. With his wealthy parents turning their back on him, Gunnar needs to stand his own ground and to learn how to get along in adult life.
While I understand that people who never had to take care of anything themselves can be extremely naive, I felt annoyed by how the author portraied Gunnar. I can understand that one forgets to call the electric company to have the current turned on when moving into a new house, but thinking that a new house comes fully furnished with a filled fridge ... really?
Anyways, I had a hard time connecting to the main characters and I must admit that I never really managed to do so. They felt flat and there was zero chemistry between them. Unfortunately, the author offers close to no character nor relationship development. I actually couldn't care less about the two main characters - the best indictor for this might be that I was completely unable to remember whether we had already read some steamy scenes or not after having laid down the book for two days. The sex was B-O-R-I-N-G, just like the characters, plain and simple!
The saddest about this book is that it actually had some potential. Kennedy's past, the reason why he is struggling to have a relationship and the insights we get into his upbringing by his foster family and his relation to his foster brothers were actually what I liked best in this story. I think Pandora Pine should have focussed more on actual character development, than on an arson case that remains unsatisfyingly unresolved (or did I miss something?) and on the introduction of too many secondary characters with a potential book of their own in the future.
Putting the focus on Gunnar and Kennedy would have made this book a lot better. With the only secondary character that I was really interested in being 100 % not the one to be featured in the next installment of this series, I am really not sure whether I will give it a try or not. I am actually a bit curious due to the very positiv reviews the next installment got on Goodreads ... so let's see!
Besides these obvious things, there were the many, many sall aspects that kept annoying the hell out of me. Like the author failing horribly in integrating some very light BDSM elements - they completely felt out of place - or Gunnar being descriped as not having been taught how to shake [hand] like a man or the statement that rich bitches also like to have a Big Mac from time to time and butterflies in someone's belly when facing a potential murderer - what's all that supposed to mean? Not to mention the constant guardian angel mentioning - be it while Gunnar was being sick in the bathroom or when Kennedy was appearing out of nowhere on a crime scene. No, ... please! Add in some unnecessary drama, the fact that Gunnar feels at home and a deep friendship to too many people in too little time and tada ... you've gut the perfect mixture for a book that isn't working.
In addition with the writing being anything but special, reading this book has been more of a burden than a pleasure. To be very honest - if it wouldn't have been for a challenge - I might not have finished it.
Story: ⭐⭐
Main Characters: ⭐⭐
Cover: ⭐⭐
While I was expecting hot firefigthers and sexy cops solving a suspensful arson investigation, I got ... well, if I just knew what I got, writing a review would be much easier, but it seems like this book wanted to be too many things at once.
Kennedy is a cop with a difficult past. He seems grumpy and unapproachable at times, but when his new neighbor, Gunnar moves in next door, Kennedy feels instantly attracked to the cocky young man. While their first encounter is a little bit rocky, Kennedy quickly understands that Gunnar needs help. With his wealthy parents turning their back on him, Gunnar needs to stand his own ground and to learn how to get along in adult life.
While I understand that people who never had to take care of anything themselves can be extremely naive, I felt annoyed by how the author portraied Gunnar. I can understand that one forgets to call the electric company to have the current turned on when moving into a new house, but thinking that a new house comes fully furnished with a filled fridge ... really?
Anyways, I had a hard time connecting to the main characters and I must admit that I never really managed to do so. They felt flat and there was zero chemistry between them. Unfortunately, the author offers close to no character nor relationship development. I actually couldn't care less about the two main characters - the best indictor for this might be that I was completely unable to remember whether we had already read some steamy scenes or not after having laid down the book for two days. The sex was B-O-R-I-N-G, just like the characters, plain and simple!
The saddest about this book is that it actually had some potential. Kennedy's past, the reason why he is struggling to have a relationship and the insights we get into his upbringing by his foster family and his relation to his foster brothers were actually what I liked best in this story. I think Pandora Pine should have focussed more on actual character development, than on an arson case that remains unsatisfyingly unresolved (or did I miss something?) and on the introduction of too many secondary characters with a potential book of their own in the future.
Putting the focus on Gunnar and Kennedy would have made this book a lot better. With the only secondary character that I was really interested in being 100 % not the one to be featured in the next installment of this series, I am really not sure whether I will give it a try or not. I am actually a bit curious due to the very positiv reviews the next installment got on Goodreads ... so let's see!
Besides these obvious things, there were the many, many sall aspects that kept annoying the hell out of me. Like the author failing horribly in integrating some very light BDSM elements - they completely felt out of place - or Gunnar being descriped as not having been taught how to shake [hand] like a man or the statement that rich bitches also like to have a Big Mac from time to time and butterflies in someone's belly when facing a potential murderer - what's all that supposed to mean? Not to mention the constant guardian angel mentioning - be it while Gunnar was being sick in the bathroom or when Kennedy was appearing out of nowhere on a crime scene. No, ... please! Add in some unnecessary drama, the fact that Gunnar feels at home and a deep friendship to too many people in too little time and tada ... you've gut the perfect mixture for a book that isn't working.
In addition with the writing being anything but special, reading this book has been more of a burden than a pleasure. To be very honest - if it wouldn't have been for a challenge - I might not have finished it.
May 10, 2020
I really liked the first half of this. I was even thinking this might be a 5 star read. But somehow I felt the story got incredibly messy in the second half.
There was a spanking scene that came out of nowhere (and I hated how it started), and when Kennedy suddenly started to act like a dick because he wasn't sure he wanted a relationship..... ugh... just no...
I thought the first half had this nice flow with Gunnar suddenly being out on his own, and his neighbor, hot muscular cop Kennedy, trying to look after him. Kennedy totally got his brothers and parents to look after Gunnar as well. I was so happy how this all unfolded.
But then some things happened in the second half that didn't always make a lot of sense.
Like how I expected Gunnar and Kennedy to just get closer and then falling in love, it didn't quite happen that way. Kennedy waited and waited and waited to make a move, and then suddenly got jealous when other men had an interest in Gunnar. There was this spanking scene outside for anyone to see that came out of nowhere. Kennedy suddenly started to accuse Gunnar of flirting with a doctor in the hospital (the doctor flirted, not Gunnar).
”Is it because you know you’re bad and think you deserve to be punished?”
Christ, was that it? Did I want him to give it to me for being such a jerk to him on the day we met? Or maybe for flirting with Hal at Sunday dinner? Or letting the good doctor eye me like I was a prime cut of meat?
That’s just so so wrong… to say Gunnar did those things while there was nothing wrong with those things at all!
I also thought it wasn't very realistic that Ozzy (Kennedy's brother and Gunnar's boss at the fire station) offered Gunnar a promotion from firehouse janitor to arson investigator. I don't think that's even legal, to offer someone that job without education or even the right training.
The relationship angst near the end was kind of weird and I wasn’t expecting it at all.
Oh, and can I say how weird it is to call a character by his full name all the time.. Hal was starting to become a friend of Gunnar and everyone kept calling him Hal Rossi. Even Gunnar whenever he thought about him. So weird….
Also, this is not a dark book, so it was a bit strange that there are actually people dying in this. I felt it was a bit out of place in this book and was quite surprised by it.
So while I loved the first half, the second half and the ending were quite the letdown.
There was a spanking scene that came out of nowhere (and I hated how it started), and when Kennedy suddenly started to act like a dick because he wasn't sure he wanted a relationship..... ugh... just no...
I thought the first half had this nice flow with Gunnar suddenly being out on his own, and his neighbor, hot muscular cop Kennedy, trying to look after him. Kennedy totally got his brothers and parents to look after Gunnar as well. I was so happy how this all unfolded.
But then some things happened in the second half that didn't always make a lot of sense.
Like how I expected Gunnar and Kennedy to just get closer and then falling in love, it didn't quite happen that way. Kennedy waited and waited and waited to make a move, and then suddenly got jealous when other men had an interest in Gunnar. There was this spanking scene outside for anyone to see that came out of nowhere. Kennedy suddenly started to accuse Gunnar of flirting with a doctor in the hospital (the doctor flirted, not Gunnar).
”Is it because you know you’re bad and think you deserve to be punished?”
Christ, was that it? Did I want him to give it to me for being such a jerk to him on the day we met? Or maybe for flirting with Hal at Sunday dinner? Or letting the good doctor eye me like I was a prime cut of meat?
That’s just so so wrong… to say Gunnar did those things while there was nothing wrong with those things at all!
I also thought it wasn't very realistic that Ozzy (Kennedy's brother and Gunnar's boss at the fire station) offered Gunnar a promotion from firehouse janitor to arson investigator. I don't think that's even legal, to offer someone that job without education or even the right training.
The relationship angst near the end was kind of weird and I wasn’t expecting it at all.
Oh, and can I say how weird it is to call a character by his full name all the time.. Hal was starting to become a friend of Gunnar and everyone kept calling him Hal Rossi. Even Gunnar whenever he thought about him. So weird….
Also, this is not a dark book, so it was a bit strange that there are actually people dying in this. I felt it was a bit out of place in this book and was quite surprised by it.
So while I loved the first half, the second half and the ending were quite the letdown.
May 11, 2020
** 2.5 stars **
At the beginning I was really excited to read this. New series by this author, finally. She was squeezing her psychic series way too long. I hoped to love it. All the elements were there: hot detective, tragic past, arson and danger. Alas, it was not to be. There were too many small inconsistencies that really bugged me that were far away from reality, and they kept me from enjoying the story.
I really disliked Gunnar. The author introduced him in such a way and made him childish and absolutely annoying. Even with the way he turned around in the end, I didn't warm up to him at all. Kennedy could have been a hit with me but again author was not consistent with his character - kind one second, a$$hole the other, then mother hen in between. Meh.
The mystery of arson was not solved, it continues into the next book. I do not like when authors leave the mystery like that, as if they can't come up with anything else for other books. Plus the situation with Gunnar's parents didn't get any attention, was kind of swept under the rug. It was just slightly mentioned in the end in by the way fashion. A lot of angst angles were left unexplored. Another thing that I have to say is that all the feels that I should have felt I just didn't. The book didn't produce a one upset or desire to tear up. I just had eye roll and finger twitching while I skipped s*e*x scenes ( I didn't care for those at all since the attempt to channel age gap (9 years is barely that much but it was played up ridiculously too much) and some kind of kink (what?) didn't suit for this book or the words the author used). I felt very dissatisfied when I finished it and upset with myself because I thought I would like it better. I think that for now this author goes to my NO list. Maybe one day I will revisit again. Another one bites the dust for me. Sorry for bad words.
At the beginning I was really excited to read this. New series by this author, finally. She was squeezing her psychic series way too long. I hoped to love it. All the elements were there: hot detective, tragic past, arson and danger. Alas, it was not to be. There were too many small inconsistencies that really bugged me that were far away from reality, and they kept me from enjoying the story.
I really disliked Gunnar. The author introduced him in such a way and made him childish and absolutely annoying. Even with the way he turned around in the end, I didn't warm up to him at all. Kennedy could have been a hit with me but again author was not consistent with his character - kind one second, a$$hole the other, then mother hen in between. Meh.
The mystery of arson was not solved, it continues into the next book. I do not like when authors leave the mystery like that, as if they can't come up with anything else for other books. Plus the situation with Gunnar's parents didn't get any attention, was kind of swept under the rug. It was just slightly mentioned in the end in by the way fashion. A lot of angst angles were left unexplored. Another thing that I have to say is that all the feels that I should have felt I just didn't. The book didn't produce a one upset or desire to tear up. I just had eye roll and finger twitching while I skipped s*e*x scenes ( I didn't care for those at all since the attempt to channel age gap (9 years is barely that much but it was played up ridiculously too much) and some kind of kink (what?) didn't suit for this book or the words the author used). I felt very dissatisfied when I finished it and upset with myself because I thought I would like it better. I think that for now this author goes to my NO list. Maybe one day I will revisit again. Another one bites the dust for me. Sorry for bad words.
October 4, 2020
2.5 stars rounded down... because I have no idea what it is I just read. Seriously. I'm so confused by this book. Seriously. So confused.
It started out great. I was totally into grumpy Kennedy and naive Gunnar. I was there for their ride thinking it would just go straight forward from them meeting. That however, didn't happen. There were roads leading everywhere. Sure there was a good introduction to the other characters, some that I'm sure getting a second book. But it took away so much from the story about Kennedy and Gunnar. Anyway, after the 50% mark things went downhill. Kennedy got possessive for no reason, which lead to a really awkward spanking scene outside.
I was not expecting this book to be so dark. Of course I figured it wouldn't be a happy book per se but hell . That's... a bit overkill.
I heard the author talking about this book somewhere and I was so excited going into it. Sadly it let me down.
It started out great. I was totally into grumpy Kennedy and naive Gunnar. I was there for their ride thinking it would just go straight forward from them meeting. That however, didn't happen. There were roads leading everywhere. Sure there was a good introduction to the other characters, some that I'm sure getting a second book. But it took away so much from the story about Kennedy and Gunnar. Anyway, after the 50% mark things went downhill. Kennedy got possessive for no reason, which lead to a really awkward spanking scene outside.
I was not expecting this book to be so dark. Of course I figured it wouldn't be a happy book per se but hell . That's... a bit overkill.
I heard the author talking about this book somewhere and I was so excited going into it. Sadly it let me down.
May 8, 2020
¸.•´¸★*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.★¨*.¸¸.•`★¤New series, great concept.¤★¨*.¸¸.*ˑ˞★
Leave it to Pandora Pine to make me cry somewhere in one of her books. I. Just. Can't!!
I just can't believe Pandora actually stepped outside of the paranormal world and presented us amidst all that we are fighting, to bring us a heartfelt book about finding live, love and family.
I was hooked from the start, just like when I first met Ten and Ronan from Cold Case Psychic. I know these two characters would stand out as far as this series takes us.
Gunnar, though young and alone in the world, was determined to survive. And Kennedy, whose life hadn't been so easy, but got love and a family in return. When these two met it was like oil and water. But with family involvement, Gunnar found a new in and Kennedy learned that his heart was bigger than he thought.
I still have tears in my eyes, but I feel all lessons learned makes us greater. I loved the growth in both Gunnar and Kennedy and look forward to the rest of the books scheduled to see where life takes them.
I voluntarily and honestly reviewed this book without bias or persuasion from the author.
(¸.★¨*.¸¸.•`★¤New series, great concept.¤★¨*.¸¸.*ˑ˞★
Leave it to Pandora Pine to make me cry somewhere in one of her books. I. Just. Can't!!
I just can't believe Pandora actually stepped outside of the paranormal world and presented us amidst all that we are fighting, to bring us a heartfelt book about finding live, love and family.
I was hooked from the start, just like when I first met Ten and Ronan from Cold Case Psychic. I know these two characters would stand out as far as this series takes us.
Gunnar, though young and alone in the world, was determined to survive. And Kennedy, whose life hadn't been so easy, but got love and a family in return. When these two met it was like oil and water. But with family involvement, Gunnar found a new in and Kennedy learned that his heart was bigger than he thought.
I still have tears in my eyes, but I feel all lessons learned makes us greater. I loved the growth in both Gunnar and Kennedy and look forward to the rest of the books scheduled to see where life takes them.
I voluntarily and honestly reviewed this book without bias or persuasion from the author.
May 10, 2020
As someone who's read the majority of Pandora Pine's books, you'd think I'd be prepared for heavy emotions to be at play, but with Gunnar's Guardian she gets you in the feels RIGHT. OFF. THE. BAT! Fortunately, there is also a healthy dose of humour, sweetness and mystery to provide balance to the tragedy in the narrative. There's also plenty of action as Kennedy runs a sting operation as a police officer in the vice squad and his brother is investigating a serial arsonist operating in their town.
Characterisation is on point in Gunnar's Guardian. Yes, Kennedy is a giant @ss at times, but this is all part of his character's growth, learning to acknowledge how past trauma affects his current behaviour: he thinks he's protecting either someone he's coming to care for or his own feelings. Gunnar, meanwhile, has a ton of growing up to do. When we meet him he is full of snark and is as far from self-sufficient as can be; but over the course of the book he flourishes with the support he finds in Kennedy and his family. The supporting cast of Kennedy's parents and siblings is well-rounded, engaging and, again, the perfect foil for the 'baddies' in the storyline (including Gunnar's parents) in that they embody love and acceptance.
It's a familiar trope for Pandora's novels, but I love love love found family stories and Gunnar absolutely struck gold when this family took him under their collective wing. I can't wait for the next in the Protect and Serve series where one of the other uniform wearing brothers will hopefully get his HEA. Bring on more alpha males! 5*
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Characterisation is on point in Gunnar's Guardian. Yes, Kennedy is a giant @ss at times, but this is all part of his character's growth, learning to acknowledge how past trauma affects his current behaviour: he thinks he's protecting either someone he's coming to care for or his own feelings. Gunnar, meanwhile, has a ton of growing up to do. When we meet him he is full of snark and is as far from self-sufficient as can be; but over the course of the book he flourishes with the support he finds in Kennedy and his family. The supporting cast of Kennedy's parents and siblings is well-rounded, engaging and, again, the perfect foil for the 'baddies' in the storyline (including Gunnar's parents) in that they embody love and acceptance.
It's a familiar trope for Pandora's novels, but I love love love found family stories and Gunnar absolutely struck gold when this family took him under their collective wing. I can't wait for the next in the Protect and Serve series where one of the other uniform wearing brothers will hopefully get his HEA. Bring on more alpha males! 5*
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 4, 2020
A great new series from one of my favourite authors and it's another that has got a wonderful community and a real family feel, just like Cold Case Psychic.
My heart immediately broke for Kennedy and everything we learn about the prologue about his traumatic childhood event. Luckily, he went on to grow up to be the one to protect others with a loving and supportive family who then go on to lend themselves out to Gunnar who moves in next door to Kennedy with nothing but a couple of suitcases after being cast out by his family.
It's a very up/down relationship right from the first moment they meet that is kind of a slow burner but there is a definite attraction from that first encounter. There is a fair amount of development that each man goes through in the story showing that it happens at any age and whether you think you've dealt with everything that life has thrown at you or not. It's a really interesting plot and the arson drama definitely brings some tension and unresolved feelings out especially when there are a couple of close calls with some important characters.
Kennedy's family and work network really bring a lot to the story, especially that sense of family where you know they've got your back and will love you through everything, the good times and bad. I'm looking forward to who gets their HEA in the next book of the series.
Definitely another wonderful story from Pandora Pine. It has a strong story with interesting characters and a lot going on throughout to grab your attention. Highly recommend!
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
My heart immediately broke for Kennedy and everything we learn about the prologue about his traumatic childhood event. Luckily, he went on to grow up to be the one to protect others with a loving and supportive family who then go on to lend themselves out to Gunnar who moves in next door to Kennedy with nothing but a couple of suitcases after being cast out by his family.
It's a very up/down relationship right from the first moment they meet that is kind of a slow burner but there is a definite attraction from that first encounter. There is a fair amount of development that each man goes through in the story showing that it happens at any age and whether you think you've dealt with everything that life has thrown at you or not. It's a really interesting plot and the arson drama definitely brings some tension and unresolved feelings out especially when there are a couple of close calls with some important characters.
Kennedy's family and work network really bring a lot to the story, especially that sense of family where you know they've got your back and will love you through everything, the good times and bad. I'm looking forward to who gets their HEA in the next book of the series.
Definitely another wonderful story from Pandora Pine. It has a strong story with interesting characters and a lot going on throughout to grab your attention. Highly recommend!
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
May 7, 2020
Pandora Pine's Gunnar's Guardian is the first book in her contemporary Protect and Serve series.
Awww, the author's writing style is always soothing to me. Add in the extra treat of it being a contemporary read, which is my normal taste, and it makes me giddy.
Gunnar's unsure of his way in the real world, delightfully unsure of how to do anything for himself. Own his own, kicked out for being gay, he is truly on his own. His neighbor is Kennedy, a detective. Kennedy was raised in foster care, but was lucky to be taken in by the McCoys. The banter and snark between the brothers is wonderful. And wow, I love all the McCoy's.
This story includes sexy firefighters, hot cops, and plenty of danger and mystery. This is a story with a two men who have a bad first meeting, but then proceed to fall in love.
As usual, the author combines a nice romance with a good, light mystery. Of course, when I say light, it's a serious storyline, but she manages to write it in a low angst manner, which I love. Of course, that doesn't mean she doesn't throw some major emotions our way, cause she always does.
My favorite thing about this book is the sense of family. As in her Cold Case books, there is a great group of family that adds immensely to the story. I just love them all. They offer plenty of heart and humor to the tale. The way they swoop in and help someone in need makes my heart happy.
Gunnar's Guardian is fantastic. Pandora Pine combines heart felt emotions and plenty of heart. I love this book. And I know I will love this series. I want to be a McCoy.
July 24, 2020
2.5-3 stars
This book had potential, I think that if there was more background with the characters or if they had more dimension I would have enjoyed the story more.
There was a lot of times when it was all calm and they were talking then BAM idk what happened but it was like lets "make out and do it" or they got in an argument and sat there like "hmm okay this doesn't flow"
Also there was a lot of telling not showing I think that is why I didn't connect with the characters as much as I would like to.
Overall it was a cute read, but not my favorite MM.
This book had potential, I think that if there was more background with the characters or if they had more dimension I would have enjoyed the story more.
There was a lot of times when it was all calm and they were talking then BAM idk what happened but it was like lets "make out and do it" or they got in an argument and sat there like "hmm okay this doesn't flow"
Also there was a lot of telling not showing I think that is why I didn't connect with the characters as much as I would like to.
Overall it was a cute read, but not my favorite MM.
July 7, 2020
2.5 stars. I probably should’ve DNF-Ed this one, but I was interested enough in the story line that I kept going. However, I think Pine’s writing style just isn’t my cuppa. It seems to be definitely a me thing, but it just didn’t work for me. Pacing felt weird, and I failed to connect to the characters.
May 18, 2020
I wanted to like this, because I loved the foster brothers setup, but this was just bad. The pacing was bad, the weird-antagonistic/protective/ownership vibe was bad, the surprise (sort-of?) D/s dynamic was bad, the WAY too many hair-trigger boners were bad... The writing wasn't bad, just OTT and pacing problems. DNF at 60% and wishing I could get those hours of my life back.
November 21, 2020
I as so excited that one of my favorite authors has started a new series and boy did she tear my heart out. We have Gunnar who comes from a very rich family, but when he comes out to his parents, his dad kicks him out. He is only allowed to take his clothes, not even his bed. God I hated his parents. I think I hate his mother the most because she should have protected him. She does give him money to help him out. He finds a place to live and it happens to be next door to Kennedy who is a detective. Kennedy was a total dick to Gunnar when he first meets him. He finds out that Gunnar has nothing and his family swarms in and helps Gunnar out. Kennedy's foster mother takes Gunnar under her wing & accepts him and shows him how a mother should love her children. Kennedy is a foster child who was adopted by David & Mandy, who I absolutely adored. They love their adopted sons and treat them no differently then their biological son. It was so sad that Gunnar could not do simple tasks as no one ever taught him how to do every day tasks. So, Kennedy's brother Ozzy, who is a firefighter & captain of his station, gives Gunnar a chance and gives him a job at the firehouse. So while Kennedy and Gunnar navigate a budding relationship, there is an arsonist on the lose. My guess is that the hunt for said arsonist is going to take us to the end of series, that an all the sons finding their significant others. There was a very scary moment that had me basically holding my breath and brought me to tears. I so can't wait for the next book in this series.
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Audio ARC provided by Gay Romance Reviews in exchange for an honest review.
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Audio ARC provided by Gay Romance Reviews in exchange for an honest review.
May 6, 2020
This is an amazing start to a new series and I love everything about it. Gunnar's Guardian is beautifully written, sweet, emotional, hilarious, gritty, heartbreakingly sad, inspiring, shows that perseverance and personal growth always pays off in the end, I love the family dynamic between the brothers, the characters are real and very relatable, it deals well with some very difficult issues and I could not put it down. Both Kennedy and Gunnar have dealt with a lot in their lives and they meet after Gunnar has been cast adrift by his parents. Gunnar is a bit lost as he is on his own for the first time but luckily Kennedy and his family jump in to help him. He is such a sweetheart and he is perfect for Kennedy but he faces an uphill battle as he deals with Kennedy's hot and cold attitude. They are exactly what the other needs if only Kennedy will get out of his own way and I love that Gunnar learns to stand up for himself as well as gets more confidence in his abilities. Gunnar is all in but Kennedy has to decide if he is brave enough to take a chance on what could be the best thing that has ever happened to him or let fear stand in his way. The secondary characters are wonderful and I can't wait to read the next book in this new and exciting series.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
May 6, 2020
I was so excited to hear that Pandora had a new series out, and she did not disappoint at all! This is different from her other more recent stories in that there is no paranormal element, and I loved it just as much. Kennedy is a detective with an amazing family. He was a foster kid, but the family he gained was perfect for him in every way. I completely fell in love with the McCoy (etc.) family. Gunnar came from money but had horrible parents. When they kicked him out, he had no clue how to live on his own. Moving next door to Kennedy gave him a new friend (eventually-lol) and support system.
There is a mystery in this book that is not solved here. The main mystery will continue on into (at least) the next book, and I am really interested to see how this all works out. The mini-drama that did occur in this book left me very sad, but also glad to see Gunnar, Kennedy, and Ozzy come out on top of it all. The only thing I wish I had a little more of was Gunnar telling his parents to shove it or have some way to knock them down a peg. I hated them so much. I'm glad he has the McCoy's now to know what real family is.
I am voluntarily reviewing an ARC provided by the author
There is a mystery in this book that is not solved here. The main mystery will continue on into (at least) the next book, and I am really interested to see how this all works out. The mini-drama that did occur in this book left me very sad, but also glad to see Gunnar, Kennedy, and Ozzy come out on top of it all. The only thing I wish I had a little more of was Gunnar telling his parents to shove it or have some way to knock them down a peg. I hated them so much. I'm glad he has the McCoy's now to know what real family is.
I am voluntarily reviewing an ARC provided by the author
December 3, 2020
Overall 4 Stars
Performance 4.5 Stars
Story 3.75 Stars
I really liked Gunnar. He started out as a poor little rich boy who's thrown out by his parents after they discover he's gay. He's naive and spoiled, but throughout the book, he has amazing character growth. He's hardworking, determined, sweet, and friendly and I just wanted to hug him and make it all better. Kennedy, on the other hand, was grumpy and possessive and had certain attitudes that didn't endear him to me. In fact, up until the last 40 minutes or so in the audiobook, I thought Gunnar was too good for him. *shrugs* Were they hot together? Sure, but frankly, I couldn't get what Gunnar saw in Kennedy, other than him being protective sometimes.
I loved Kennedy's family and I'm looking forward to seeing them again in the next books in the series. I'm guessing the scorcher's case will continue in the next book(s) since we didn't get a resolution in this one.
John Solo's performance was really good and I really enjoyed both his narration and the different voices he gave the characters. He's always great at bringing the books to life for me.
Performance 4.5 Stars
Story 3.75 Stars
I really liked Gunnar. He started out as a poor little rich boy who's thrown out by his parents after they discover he's gay. He's naive and spoiled, but throughout the book, he has amazing character growth. He's hardworking, determined, sweet, and friendly and I just wanted to hug him and make it all better. Kennedy, on the other hand, was grumpy and possessive and had certain attitudes that didn't endear him to me. In fact, up until the last 40 minutes or so in the audiobook, I thought Gunnar was too good for him. *shrugs* Were they hot together? Sure, but frankly, I couldn't get what Gunnar saw in Kennedy, other than him being protective sometimes.
I loved Kennedy's family and I'm looking forward to seeing them again in the next books in the series. I'm guessing the scorcher's case will continue in the next book(s) since we didn't get a resolution in this one.
John Solo's performance was really good and I really enjoyed both his narration and the different voices he gave the characters. He's always great at bringing the books to life for me.
May 6, 2020
Such a great start to a new series! I love the premise that each book is going to be about one of Kennedy's foster brothers. They have such a wonderful brotherly bond and I can't wait to see each of them find their HEA (especially Ozzy because he is just gorgeous and he's a fire captain... no need to say anymore). This story belongs to the detective, Kennedy, and his new younger neighbour, Gunnar. Having recently been kicked out of home, Gunnar has to become independent really quickly, and it leads to a bit of a rocky start with Kennedy. He and Kennedy certainly push each other's buttons at times but all the snark and tension just heightens their chemistry. And it's never too long before the anger fades and they're being all sweet and caring. Kennedy doesn't hesitate in offering Gunnar help, and the way his foster brothers and parents pitch in is incredibly uplifting. I thought it had a satisfying conclusion with a good mix of action and romance, and I can't wait to see more of these guys.
May 7, 2020
Can he follow his heart and find real love? Two men who have learned not to trust find an incredible connection and learn to listen to their hearts. I really loved this story-line and was delighted with really good writing that created a 'could not put it down' story. I really enjoyed the MC's, their characters were touchable and they were so very real and flawed. I found myself laughing out loud several times in this story and there were other times that my heart broke for a character. I really enjoyed the supporting characters and hope to see more of them in the future.
Kennedy and Gunnar have combustible chemistry, great connection and fun time spent together. Both men are just so much stronger together. Watching these guys find love and find themselves was a fulfilling read!
This is book one of the Protect and Serve series and i am so looking forward to the next one!!!
I was gifted this book from the author and i freely give my honest opinion and review.
Kennedy and Gunnar have combustible chemistry, great connection and fun time spent together. Both men are just so much stronger together. Watching these guys find love and find themselves was a fulfilling read!
This is book one of the Protect and Serve series and i am so looking forward to the next one!!!
I was gifted this book from the author and i freely give my honest opinion and review.
May 8, 2020
Pandora has brought us another fantastic story. Gunnar’s Guardian is book one in her new series Protect and Serve. This story contains an age-gap and public and private sexy times, just to mention a few treats this book has in store for its readers.
Our main characters are Kennedy and Gunnar. Kennedy is a seasoned police officer who after a work shift, meets his new neighbor Gunnar. Gunnar comes from a well to do family, that has disowned him for his sexual orientation. Kennedy comes from humble beginnings through the foster care system. As our characters find their groove, Pandora is weaving a mystery around, what appears to be a serial Firestarter.
I love how Pandora creates these worlds and you become instantly absorbed by the story and innerworkings of the main and side characters. If you love a great mystery, intertwined with a angsty romance, this is the story for you. Another five-star read for me. I can’t wait for book two in this new series.
Our main characters are Kennedy and Gunnar. Kennedy is a seasoned police officer who after a work shift, meets his new neighbor Gunnar. Gunnar comes from a well to do family, that has disowned him for his sexual orientation. Kennedy comes from humble beginnings through the foster care system. As our characters find their groove, Pandora is weaving a mystery around, what appears to be a serial Firestarter.
I love how Pandora creates these worlds and you become instantly absorbed by the story and innerworkings of the main and side characters. If you love a great mystery, intertwined with a angsty romance, this is the story for you. Another five-star read for me. I can’t wait for book two in this new series.
May 27, 2020
Interesting but melodramatic
Generally interesting read, with good pacing, but a bit overdramatic (in my opinion).
Pros
- I liked Gunnar overall, and the secondary characters
- The story moves at a good pace. I had some eyeroll moments, but I wouldn't say I was bored at any point.
- The arsonist angle was intriguing (but wasn't really explored much in this book. I guess it's meant for subsequent books in the series?)
- From a grammar and flow perspective, I thought the writing was decent
Cons
- It definitely strayed into sanctimonious territory at times.
- The breathy "I just want to help people" sentiment got old fast for me
- The conflict often felt inflated and a little contrived. The ending is melodrama times a thousand
- I thought Kennedy as a character was all over the place and flat in all directions, I wasn't a fan
- There are a couple weird flails at Dom behavior that I found sort of out of place and unfinished
Generally interesting read, with good pacing, but a bit overdramatic (in my opinion).
Pros
- I liked Gunnar overall, and the secondary characters
- The story moves at a good pace. I had some eyeroll moments, but I wouldn't say I was bored at any point.
- The arsonist angle was intriguing (but wasn't really explored much in this book. I guess it's meant for subsequent books in the series?)
- From a grammar and flow perspective, I thought the writing was decent
Cons
- It definitely strayed into sanctimonious territory at times.
- The breathy "I just want to help people" sentiment got old fast for me
- The conflict often felt inflated and a little contrived. The ending is melodrama times a thousand
- I thought Kennedy as a character was all over the place and flat in all directions, I wasn't a fan
- There are a couple weird flails at Dom behavior that I found sort of out of place and unfinished
May 2, 2020
4.5 stars rounded up.
This is a new series by Pandora Pine featuring hot alpha men and highlighting their fall into lust or is it love. Kennedy is a police detective and Gunnar is unsure what he is. I loved Gunnar. He hit rock bottom but managed to remain optimistic and open throughout his evolution. I really admire that Pandora did not make him a doormat. Kennedy is also a work in progress (aren't we all) but at times I was really irritated with him and wanted to yell into the book at him to get his act together. Both the MCs and supporting characters were likable and Pandora set it up well so that the reader will want to know more about Ozzy, Hennessey and Dawson.
This book has a HEA, well developed characters that Pandora manages to make real enough for me to feel what they feel. The plot line is developed but not as strong as her cold case detective series plots. At times I felt a little rushed through a scene. What I can say is that I was never bored during this book. It was a slow burn romance with two stubborn males that threw in some action and angst. Oh and maybe a hot spanking scene. Overall a great start to a brand new series. Can't wait to read more!
**ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review
This is a new series by Pandora Pine featuring hot alpha men and highlighting their fall into lust or is it love. Kennedy is a police detective and Gunnar is unsure what he is. I loved Gunnar. He hit rock bottom but managed to remain optimistic and open throughout his evolution. I really admire that Pandora did not make him a doormat. Kennedy is also a work in progress (aren't we all) but at times I was really irritated with him and wanted to yell into the book at him to get his act together. Both the MCs and supporting characters were likable and Pandora set it up well so that the reader will want to know more about Ozzy, Hennessey and Dawson.
This book has a HEA, well developed characters that Pandora manages to make real enough for me to feel what they feel. The plot line is developed but not as strong as her cold case detective series plots. At times I felt a little rushed through a scene. What I can say is that I was never bored during this book. It was a slow burn romance with two stubborn males that threw in some action and angst. Oh and maybe a hot spanking scene. Overall a great start to a brand new series. Can't wait to read more!
**ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review
May 11, 2020
Expected more. Everyone had a dramatic backstory. The parents were extremly perfect.
I think they will search the arsonist through the books; I expect there will be four - one for each brother.
All the characters were a bit of a cliche. Kennedy sums it up by himself "...like I was some kind of a billionaire Dom from a movie." Yeah that was his behavior most of the time.
And the end. OMG. Sooo dramatic Too unrealistic for me. Writing style was okay and I didn't get bored through the book.
I think they will search the arsonist through the books; I expect there will be four - one for each brother.
All the characters were a bit of a cliche. Kennedy sums it up by himself "...like I was some kind of a billionaire Dom from a movie." Yeah that was his behavior most of the time.
And the end. OMG. Sooo dramatic Too unrealistic for me. Writing style was okay and I didn't get bored through the book.
May 9, 2020
A Good start
The story drew me in quite like the authors other series the Cold Case Psychic. The main characters were well written, the supporting characters could have been described more, but that is relevantly trivial. I liked Gunners character growth and his relationship with the McCoys. Though I wished there would have been more interaction/development with his actual parents towards the end-they were written as almost an after thought. All in all it was a solid book and a good start to the series. I’m looking forward to Ozzy’s story in book 2 and the other brothers consecutively.
The story drew me in quite like the authors other series the Cold Case Psychic. The main characters were well written, the supporting characters could have been described more, but that is relevantly trivial. I liked Gunners character growth and his relationship with the McCoys. Though I wished there would have been more interaction/development with his actual parents towards the end-they were written as almost an after thought. All in all it was a solid book and a good start to the series. I’m looking forward to Ozzy’s story in book 2 and the other brothers consecutively.
May 6, 2020
A great start to a new series
I really enjoyed this story. I love how Pandora always has a strong sense of family in her stories, whether its family from birth or family you make. This story was full of drama, emotions, and love with an interesting plot and well-developed main characters.
Kennedy is a bit rude at times, but his heart is in the right place. He really cares for Gunnar and it shows. Gunnar is sweet and I liked watching him grow more into the man his is going to be.
I’m excited to read more in this series.
I really enjoyed this story. I love how Pandora always has a strong sense of family in her stories, whether its family from birth or family you make. This story was full of drama, emotions, and love with an interesting plot and well-developed main characters.
Kennedy is a bit rude at times, but his heart is in the right place. He really cares for Gunnar and it shows. Gunnar is sweet and I liked watching him grow more into the man his is going to be.
I’m excited to read more in this series.
May 8, 2020
This author knocks everything they write out of the ballpark. This was amazing and fun. Sexy and fast paced. I loved it...these characters made me happy....sexy uniforms....neighbors...fun times. Can't wait for the next one
May 18, 2020
YAY! A new Pandora Pine series. I really enjoyed this one, too. Kennedy was kind of wishy washy though. He was so hot and cold and I hated it. I can not wait for more!!! I'm loving these brothers!
May 24, 2020
Read by Shon
3.5 stars
This book was over the place. There was a lot going in this book.
3.5 stars
This book was over the place. There was a lot going in this book.
dnf
June 8, 2020 Dnf @ 8%
N4m
N4m
May 18, 2020
I loved the first half. Kennedy’s backstory was heartbreaking and I was sad for Gunnar the way his parents treated him.
But the way the relationship developed felt off. Kennedy was a dick for no reason. The spanking scene felt weird.
Gunnar being promoted to arson investigator was also very unrealistic, with him having no professional training.
I also missed Gunnar’s parents getting some sort of karma served. That’s one of my favorite storylines: asshole parents getting what they deserve. Like him calling them out in the media for their fake interviews saying they are proud.
I loved Mandy&David and Ozzy. Dallas and Hennessy were not enough in the story to get to know them.
Also Hal being shot broke my heart. He was so sweet...
But the way the relationship developed felt off. Kennedy was a dick for no reason. The spanking scene felt weird.
Gunnar being promoted to arson investigator was also very unrealistic, with him having no professional training.
I also missed Gunnar’s parents getting some sort of karma served. That’s one of my favorite storylines: asshole parents getting what they deserve. Like him calling them out in the media for their fake interviews saying they are proud.
I loved Mandy&David and Ozzy. Dallas and Hennessy were not enough in the story to get to know them.
Also Hal being shot broke my heart. He was so sweet...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 18, 2020
What did I just read? 😓
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