Billionaires & Bodyguards Book 1) - Damaged Like Us (Like Us Series

I am in love with these two characters. The story is great!!!! I am falling in love with the families as well. I really like how they authors wrote the MM in such a way that you feel like this will be sexy yet not over the top.

4 stars!

“Dear World, stop f***ing with me. Sincerely, an agitated human.”

Maximoff Hale is the son of reality television star royalty. His entire life, he has known nothing but the spotlight, the constant nagging of the paparazzi, and has always had a body guard. But when his guard retires, Moffy is faced with having to spend his days with a new guard. He’s even more shocked when that new bodyguard ends up being his childhood crush, Farrow Keene.

Farrow is five years older than Moffy, and with his father being the Hale family physician, he’s comfortable with the family. The more time he spends with his charge, the more he realizes he’s attracted to him, and the feeling seems to be mutual. The only problem? Bodyguard and charges cannot date, making anything between them forbidden.

“Don’t you see, Maximoff? There’s a cement wall in front of you, and you’ve just been told to be satisfied with staring at it. And so you stand there, not able to see the other side.”

I was so extremely excited for this book, not only is it a spin-off of the Addicted series, but we get an MM romance too? I was completely overjoyed and ecstatic, it’s like Christmas came in June! Finishing this book, I came to the realization of why I love books by the Ritchie twins so much: they always deliver a quality story with realistic, relatable characters and lots of feels. It’s obvious they take their time when writing a book and make sure the reader gets a story of great caliber. And Damaged Like Us follows in that same vein.

I loved both Moffy and Farrow equally, these two men were amazing! Moffy is the oldest of all the Calloway children, and because of that he falls into the role of protector. Moffy will support is siblings and cousins, would kill for them. His loyalty to his family is the most important thing to him. Farrow values his work, he knows that what he does makes a difference, and he will also do anything to keep the family safe. It’s rare that I say this about a character, but I also really dug Farrow’s demeanor, the twins did an amazing job describing him and developing him.

There were some issues near the end that I felt were rushed and kind of brushed aside. I wish that we had seen more of what came of those issues, but maybe we will see more of their impact in the next book? Or a novella? I was just shocked by the behavior of some of the characters from the original series and never really got an explanation or confrontation about it, which I really wish we had.

I love these authors, I after having read eleven works by them I can honestly say they write the best books in the indie romance community. I really enjoyed this book, it’s a fantastic start to a new series and I cannot wait to read what is to come.

“Millions of people know me, but not like this. Not like that. I hang onto that fact like rope on a wall that blocks my view of everything. He’s how I see the other side. He’s made my life feel freer.”

The cover is delicious. First two chapters were great. Then it went swiftly downhill. Both MCs far too egocentric to have any appeal to me. Inconsistent behaviour in their interactions made me dislike the story even more, and there is no underlying plot. But other people seem to love it, so mayby it's just not for me.

This book was amazing! Everything I have come to expect from these authors. Every time! They develop their characters well and the stories are long enough that you can fall in love with them. I am going to go back and read the entire addicted series again now. Can't wait for the rest of Maximoff and Farrow's story.

I have fallen madly in love with the characters in these books. 11 books in and I just keep wanting more! I would honestly read every book if they continued to write a book for each child in the Hale, Meadows, Cobalt, and Abbey families. I own all 11 books (Addicted series/Calloway Sisters series/Damaged Like Us) via Audible/Kindle, but I will be purchasing all of the paperbacks too. Love, love, love the series! I can't wait for the next!

4.25 stars

I was having trouble pinning down a rating as I keep wavering between a 4 star and a 4.5. It is really hard to measure the start of the Like Us series when I want to weigh it next to the Addicted series. I will say this is a great introduction to the Like Us cast and the universe they live in. Knowing how the Ritchie girls write their stories I expect a lot more character development (that is what they do best) and lots more story to come. I feel much like I did when I read the first Addicted book; great start but I know better things are to come.

If you are a new reader the reasons for their notoriety might be a bit confusing or a bit much. It is explained but fans of the Addicted series have more backstory for this. As stated the first few books will be centered on Moffy (the Hales oldest boy) and his love interest Farrow. We learn that Moffy’s current bodyguard has retired and the new guard assigned to him is his childhood crush Farrow. The sexual tension written between these two great. I thought Moffy was going to combust most of the time and Farrow was just laid back and cool. The one area I am struggling with here is I feel the girls were playing it safe writing the Farrow and Moffy sex scenes.

There was so much in this story that put a big smile on my face. It was hard for me to not want more scenes with the core six but I am really glad they didn’t go there. The scenes we did get were fabulous. From Lily needing to know what “House” Farrow was sorted into, aww Lily. To the scenes about lube between Moffy, Loren, and his Uncles, to the scene between Loren and Moffy about his hair; it gave me the feels and made me laugh. And as far as the actions of the core 6 towards Jane and Moffy in the end I felt it was true to them. They are flawed people and that is why I loved their stories so much. Fans have them on a pedestal but I think their actions were human and they were based on their own experiences. Definitely how a parent would react! And one of the aspects I personally loved is how much Moffy has turned out like Ryke ( I am a Ryke lover ) and how proud Loren is of that fact. I also really adored the fact that this has tied into how Moffy interacts with Charlie as he is most like Connor. History repeats itself to some extent and kids mirror the adults in their lives. I just really liked how the twins wove this in.

As usual I am looking forward to the next book in the series. I loved Farrow and Moffy together and I can’t wait to see how the fallout from the end of this story plays out in the next books.

FYI! I need Jane and Thatcher together and people keep shipping Sulli and Akara but I felt a vibe with Jack. I need Jack and Sulli to happen.

The Cobalts, Hales, and Meadows are my favorite entourage in fiction. So I was extremely excited that the series was continuing with their children.

Maximoff Hale is the oldest son of Lily and Lo. He's the responsible one. He's selfless and generous. He runs a nonprofit charity organization and he's just as big a celebrity as his parents. His long time bodyguard recently retired so he's now receiving a transfer from his mother's detail, Farrow Keene.

Moffy has been crushing on Farrow since he was sixteen so it's a bit awkward for him at first. Farrow has his own list of accomplishments and it's an adjustment for him as well guarding an Alpha male. He's competitive with Moffy. I liked their interactions. But what I loved most is the ensemble feel we're getting again. It's clear security considers themselves a part of the family so I think it's going to be fun getting to know them more as the series progresses. We also got better acquainted with some of the kids Moffy is closest to like Jane and Sully. I'm looking forward to their povs.

But, as much as I enjoyed this book, I can't help but compare it to the Addicted series and it fell a little short. Also, it's being advertised as a new series, and although the authors did their best to explain all of the characters and the relationships, I feel like it would be overwhelming for a new reader. Moffy alone has so many characteristics that you have to defer to his parents and Uncle Ryke to understand.

But this book is still a winner. If the twins wrote about this family forever I'd read it forever. Well done.

The characters are all wonderfully developed and you fall in love with Moffy and Farrow. You fall in love with the whole Cobalt, Hale and Meadow families. I loved the first 3 books and I’m looking forward to reading Jane’s story in books 4 and 5 when they’re released.

This was beyond anything I could have asked for or imagined! I am so in love with Maximoff and Farrow they were s great together. I cannot wait to see what these authors come up with next. I need book two now!

I loved the Addicted/Calloway Sisters series and this does not disappoint! I'm so excited to see where this series will go. I loved little Moffy in Some Kind of Perfect and I loved seeing the man that he grew up to be.

Like all their books, this one exceeded my expectation. It is captivating, touching and It requires to have an open mind, given the topics they wonderfully cover. There is the expectancy of character development that I look forward to reading in their future books!!! Worth my money. Thank you ladies ❤️

"We're like lightning and thunder, inherently different but alike enough to share the same sky."

Oh man, how I loved this book! I love the Addicted series and the second I knew this spinoff was about the kids well, GIMME!!!!! You DON'T have to read the Addicted series to read Damaged Like Us but I would highly recommend it. They're all amazing. ;)

Maximoff Hale (22) is everything I wanted. He's sweet and loyal and PERFECT. How he is with his family and how he treats everyone around him is just...I have no words. The authors did an amazing job.

"For my siblings, for my family, for anyone who'd grow up after me and need someone to defend them when they can't defend themselves; when they need a shoulder to cry on or a safety net to fall in-I'm here. I've been here. I'm always here."

Farrow Keene (27). Lord, help me. The second I knew he was a tatted up bodyguard with bleached hair and a James Franco smile I. Died.

The banter between these two was downright hilarious. I loved them. I didn't want to stop reading. I NEED MORE!!!! I'm so excited for Lovers Like Us. And pretty please can we get books for all the other side characters and bodyguards?! I need Charlie in my life. And the Omega team. And Jack. AHHHHH. I'm fangirling all over again.

Okay, so I had a few issues with the book. One will to be a spoiler, I'll tag it, don't worry.
-I felt like Moffy and Farrow's relationship was a bit rushed. I know Moffy had a crush on him when he was 16 but it was too fast for me when Farrow becomes his bodyguard. It took some getting used to but IT WAS WORTH IT!!!!!
-this is one I've noticed a few people talk about and it really put me off. *hides in shame* *******SPOILER****** That ending. I hated it. I completely understand where the core 6 (from the Addicted series; the parents) are coming from but WHY DIDN'T AT LEAST ONE OF THEM BELIEVE THE KIDS?! And Sullivan was in the house when those pictures were taken!!!! That was never brought up! She could have told the parents that it was taken out of context. I know parents do everything for their children but not to believe Moffy and Jane was just hard for me to read. They grew up like twins. How could a parent even think for one second that they might be sleeping together?? ? Okay, rant over. I really hope this isn't a huge part of book 2. I need more Farrow and Moffy not drama for the magazines.****

Also, because I feel bad about being negative, I need to throw some positivity in here. I LOVE how the bodyguards take care of AND love the kids. They even make sure Jane's cats are taken care of. Instant heart eyes. All of Moffy's cousins and siblings need books. What do I have to do to make this happen? ;) And the bodyguards!!! If they don't end up with the people they protect then PLEASE give me a spin-off. I need them all. <3 <3

Krista and Becca Ritchie are my favorite authors. Period.

and this book might be my new favorite.

The characters were well developed (as per usual for the Ritchie twins), the twist was unexpected, the love was genuine, and it honestly rocked my socks.

I loved this book!

MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS - Maximoff is a neat kid, gorgeous with cheekbones like Lo, clean cut, a swimmer's body, does charity work. He is the unofficial leader of all his siblings & cousins. His new bodyguard is the complete opposite - headstrong, wild hair, piercings & tattoos. But Maximoff has fantasized about Farrow for so many years - now he'll be with him pretty much 24/7. Their relationship is super cute & very hot! I like how Maximoff is only into one-night stands, whether it be men or women, but gives a relationship a shot with Farrow even if they have to keep it a big secret. If Farrow is a celebrity's boyfriend, he would no longer be a bodyguard. It is hard keeping up with all of the cousins but I am excited about future books, especially about Jane & Sullivan & Luna, very intriguing girls who are figuring out what kinds of women they want to be. The love affair between Farrow & Maximoff is pretty special, especially when tough guy Farrow is honest about how much he adores Moffy. "You're the most thoughtful, the most caring, the media was right when they said whoever dates you would be the luckiest effing human alive. I feel lucky to be with you." The reason for my lower rating is because I was very disappointed in the parents. We don't get much interaction with them throughout the book & in the end they confront Maximoff about some gross rumors...and they might believe them rather than their own son! I couldn't believe it. Also, I have to point out that several children seem to be gay. I have no problem with anyone's sexual orientation but with all of these siblings and cousins we seem to have half of them either being sexually confused, not having sex, or being gay. Hmmmm....

Excellent work, as expected by the sisters. Great continuation of the Calloway story. I can't wait for the next instalment of Moffy and Farrow, and I hope we see much more with the other siblings and cousins.

MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS - Maximoff is a neat kid, gorgeous with cheekbones like Lo, clean cut, a swimmer's body, does charity work. He is the unofficial leader of all his siblings & cousins. His new bodyguard is the complete opposite - headstrong, wild hair, piercings & tattoos. But Maximoff has fantasized about Farrow for so many years - now he'll be with him pretty much 24/7. Their relationship is super cute & very hot! I like how Maximoff is only into one-night stands, whether it be men or women, but gives a relationship a shot with Farrow even if they have to keep it a big secret. If Farrow is a celebrity's boyfriend, he would no longer be a bodyguard. It is hard keeping up with all of the cousins but I am excited about future books, especially about Jane & Sullivan & Luna, very intriguing girls who are figuring out what kinds of women they want to be. The love affair between Farrow & Maximoff is pretty special, especially when tough guy Farrow is honest about how much he adores Moffy. "You're the most thoughtful, the most caring, the media was right when they said whoever dates you would be the luckiest effing human alive. I feel lucky to be with you." The reason for my lower rating is because I was very disappointed in the parents. We don't get much interaction with them throughout the book & in the end they confront Maximoff about some gross rumors...and they might believe them rather than their own son! I couldn't believe it. Also, I have to point out that several children seem to be gay. I have no problem with anyone's sexual orientation but with all of these siblings and cousins we seem to have half of them either being sexually confused, not having sex, or being gay. Hmmmm....

Excellent work, as expected by the sisters. Great continuation of the Calloway story. I can't wait for the next instalment of Moffy and Farrow, and I hope we see much more with the other siblings and cousins.

Loved this book! It had a bit of everything- some romance, the super hot body guards, and loyalty towards the family. If want to read a romance novel that's a bit outside the box, I highly recommend this one.