Close Contact (Body Armor)

Lori Foster sure knows how to hook you in right from the beginning and not let go until the very end. What a great suspenseful romance. Not too scary suspenseful but still got a good mystery going on to see who the villain was. I had a hunch but I was kept being thrown off. So many possible suspects and it was great trying to guess "who dunnit." Now on to the romance part. *Great big sigh* Miles and Maxi were HOT! Their chemistry was off the charts and I really loved how their relationship developed. It was fun, sweet and absolutely sexy. And the gang from the Ultimate Series came back for a bit. So fun seeing the fighters all back in one place again. I really loved all the characters in Lori Foster's stories. They're all so lovable. Close Contact is another hit in this Body Armor series. I can't wait to read more.

*I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book*

I love all the Body Armor series books but this one is my favorite. Maxi and Miles had chemistry that was off the charts also, their banter between each other was great. Can't wait for the next book in the series.
ARC provided by Netgalley for an honest review.

“Close Contact” is book three of Body Armor series featuring Mile Dartman from the MMA series.
Miles has retired from MMA Fighting and joined the Body Armor Security Agency. He’s called into his bosses office to discover a woman with whom he had a short affair before she disappeared from his life.
Maxi Nevar is a personal shopper who has inherited her grandmother’s home and surrounding property. Strange things begin to happen and Maxi remembers Miles and goes to the Body Armor agency to hire him as a temporary bodyguard.
Temporary doesn’t seem to work for Miles and he works hard to not only protect her but to get her back into his life, permanently.
I loved seeing many of the characters from the MMA series and all the interactions between them. Lori Foster never fails to entertain and provide a great read. Thank you, looking forward to the next.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Ms. Foster has written another winner. I enjoy all her books but I am especially fond of the romantic suspense she has been writing in her last few series. Miles Darman, the Legend in his MMA days, and Maxi, a great character, had a short-lived tryst a while back. Then Maxi disappears. Miles is not real happy about that, but such is life.

Maxi has had a lot of stuff happen lately. Most notably, she lost her grandma and inherited her grandma's property and all the feral cats that went with it. Her siblings assumed she would sell it and they would get their part. Nope. She decides to keep it. However, someone is not happy about this decision. Maxi wakes up in Chapter 1 lying in the gravel and without any memories on how she got there. Interesting things are happening. She arrives at the Body Armor agency Miles works at asking for help. Sparks start flying.

The relationship between Miles and Maxi is great. Maxi really is a great character--a little quirky at times but I think she is fun even with her problems currently. Miles is determined to protect her and figure out who is trying to run her off her property. There are plenty of suspects to keep it interesting and I also really enjoyed seeing the other bodyguards from the agency (and the series) show up help. This is a story well-worth reading as are all of Ms. Foster's books. There is a reason she is my favorite author. I can not wait for the next book featuring Brand and Sahara. There are questions to be answered in that book!!

This one was just an okay read for me. It started and ended strong, but I grew bored in the middle. The danger/action sequences were great and it wasn't until the end that I finally figured out who the bad guy was trying to hurt Maxi, so 4 stars for that. But there wasn't a whole lot going on between Miles and Maxi in the middle of the book. The sex was hot, although I became bored with it after a while as well, but it didn't seem as though they really cultivated their relationship very much outside of that. They didn't talk about their feelings until the end, kept it all bottled up and second-guessing what the other's intentions were, etc. It was just a bit frustrating when they wouldn't communicate. Miles was a great guy and I loved how he willingly volunteered to help Maxi out around the farm. But again, he kept his feelings bottled up. Maxi turned out to not be as stuck up as I expected, which was a bit of a surprise. She turned out to be a country girl with a big heart and love of her cats.

Overall, not a bad book, but not as great as the last one either.

I did enjoy having some of the previous characters make another appearance in this book. I'm especially looking forward to Sahara's book since she is a firecracker and I really want to know what happened to her brother.

Close Contact will keep you on your toes with the suspense, and titillated with the overwhelming chemistry between the former MMA fighter-turned-bodyguard and the girl who walked away but came back to hire him.

Since inheriting her grandmother’s house and land, Maxi Nevar has her hands full of responsibilities and drama, and now that a scary and mysterious incident in the land that has her waking up outside her house, on the ground with no memory of what happened, she turns to the one person she never thought she’d see again.

Former MMA fighter turned bodyguard Miles Dartman thought he found a connection with Maxi…until she bailed on him and practically ghosted him. In the three hot and intense encounters he had with Maxi, he felt a connection and thought she did, too, but he thought wrong. So, it’s a complete surprise to him that two months later after they last saw each other, she’s at his workplace and wants to hire him as her bodyguard.

After hearing what happened to her, Miles knew he’d take the job—and as if his boss Sahara would give him a choice anyway—and see this as a chance to clear the air with Maxi, maybe even get their second chance. But his main priority is to help her and find out who’s been antagonizing her.

I suggest reading the first two standalone novels in the series before starting Close Contact, because I think we’ll see the beginning of Miles and Maxi’s story there—how they met the first time. I would have wanted to see that in this book because their first interaction here in the book is set two months after their three one night stands. I felt like I missed a few pages in when I started reading this book, to be honest.

Because of what I’ve mentioned above, it took me a while to get into the story. But it didn’t take long for me to be swept up by the suspense and the couple’s sizzling chemistry. The author gave us bits and pieces to hang on to and make our guesses on who the culprit is, and I’m so happy it took me a while to get a hunch. And the connection between Miles and Maxi was so palpable throughout the story, I couldn’t look away.

It also helped that we got to see the two heroes and their significant others who starred in the previous books in the series—and I just read from others’ reviews that some of the side characters came from a previous series too—and their exposure made me want to read about them even more.

I loved the dynamic between Miles and the former MMA fighters now working at Body Armor agency. The strong bond between them was obvious, and I loved that they welcomed Maxi so easily into their circle. It was also great to see their respect and care for their boss, Sahara. I’m already excited to read her book!

I liked that the story was told in third POV, so not only can we see Miles’ and Maxi’s perspectives, we can also see hints of the suspect’s thoughts. Although I have to admit there were times the narrative was confusing because it jumped from Miles to Maxi’s point of view out of nowhere.

This is my first Lori Foster read, but I’m sure it won’t be the last! I’m definitely reading the other books in this series.

If you love reading about strong hot men (MMA fighters, bodyguards, yum!) and strong independent women, and enjoy some suspense mixed in your romance, you’ll enjoy reading Close Contact.

Tropes: One Night Stand, Bodyguard, Small Town
POV: Third Person, Dual POV
Standalone: Yes

Close Contact is one of those books that you can read without the plot becoming too complicated. I was in desperate need to read a book like Close Comfort. I had read books with intricate plotlines. They required me to write them down so I could remember everything. So reading this book was a balm to my mind.

Close Comfort starts off with Maxi waking up in a field by her house with no idea how she got there. Terrified and still drugged, she manages to make her way to the house, get her keys, get into her car and take off. This isn’t the first time that something like this had happened to her. She decided that she needed to hire a bodyguard. She knew what agency she was going to use and who she wanted. It’s a matter of convincing him to overlook their past and take the job.

Miles is a retired MMA fighter who works for an agency called Body Armor as a bodyguard. He had a fling with Maxi several months back. She dumped him after the 3rd time they hooked up. So he was surprised when he was called into his boss’s office and told that Maxi was hiring him. When Miles returns with Maxi to her farm, he realizes that he didn’t know her at all. He realizes that protecting Maxi from her unknown stalker might be difficult. Since he/she seems to have unlimited access to her house and land. Maxi realizes that she doesn’t know the people she surrounds herself with as well as she thought she did.

Maxi was a tough cookie but she was also vulnerable. She refused to be driven from her farm. By the stalker or her siblings, who wanted her to sell it so they could take the money. She wanted to live there and honor her grandmother’s memory. But first, she had to find out who was stalking her. I loved, loved, loved that she was a crazy cat lady. She made no excuses to Miles about the number of cats on her property. Only that her grandmother loved them and Maxi was going to care for those cats and any others that turned on. I also loved how she took nothing from Miles. Nothing. Like I said, she was a tough cookie.

Miles did come across as a tool in the beginning of the book but I changed my mind. If that was me, put into that situation, I would have acted the same way. I did like his instincts about people. I felt the same way about Fletcher that he did. I also liked that he accepted Maxi, the farm, and the cats without even thinking about it. I actually loved him by the end of the book. He put his life on the life for Maxi a few times. Not because she was his boss but because he loved her.

The chemistry between Maxi and Miles was insane. I did wonder when they were going to hook up and I wasn’t surprised when it happened shortly afterward. After they first had sex, they bumped uglies everywhere. Including the kitchen, where the stalker got his own show because of no blinds or curtains. You betcha that they got blinds after Maxi noticed the stalker watching them. Other than that one scene, which was actually kind of funny, the sex scenes were hot.

I liked how the author kept you guessing at who the stalker was. At one point, she had 3 separate suspects going. Red herrings were thrown out everywhere. I did figure out who it was by the middle of the book. But I was shocked at why he was doing it. That twist caught me off guard and I loved it!!

Close Contact is part of the Body Armor series. It is book 3. I will save everyone my rant on picking books up mid-series. If you have followed my blog long enough, you know how I feel about it. Yet I still do it. This book can be read separately from the series. The main characters from the first two books to make appearances in the book. But the author did not allow them to take over the book. They had their scenes and then faded away. Other than that, the book can be read alone.

The end of Close Contact is typical for a suspenseful romance/mystery. The only thing that surprised me was why the stalker was doing what he was doing, which I mentioned above. Other than that very typical. Also very typical in the romance part too.

Close Contact is a fast-moving suspense, mystery romance. The main characters are likable and have unbelievable sexual chemistry. The suspense/mystery part of the book kept me guessing and on edge. There is a twist in the plot at the end of the book that did shock me. Even though it is book 3, you can read it as a standalone. The sex is explicit so I wouldn’t have anyone younger than 18 reading this book. I would recommend for anyone over 18.

**I chose to leave this review after reading an advance reader copy**

Maxie wakes up alone, terrified, and outside with no knowledge of what’s happened. Terrified, she sneaks into her own home and grabs her keys, rubber boots, and flannel shirt, then goes for help. She doesn’t go to the police, but to Miles, a former MMA fighter turned bodyguard.
One of Body Armor’s newest operatives, Miles is determined not only to help Maxie, but to make her his forever. Miles knew he was supposed to be a one night stand, but wanted more. Making a decision to protect Maxie, Miles moved in with Maxie and slowly begins to protect her body and break down the barriers to win her heart.
Great action with a twist that kept me guessing up to the end! I can usually figure out “who done it” a few chapters in, but this one kept me guessing up until the reveal! A great read with a cleverly fabricated plot!

Maxi Nevar has been spooked since she moved into her late grandmother's farmhouse, but has convinced herself the incidents were nothing. Until she wakes up outside, clearly having been drugged. That sends her to Body Armor, where she knows MMA fighter Miles Dartman now works. What was supposed to be a one night stand left Miles thinking about more- but he couldn't find Maxi until she walked into Body Armor and hired him. Now he has to juggle his attraction to her with his doubt about her crazy story, and then with trying to protect her from the mysterious threat that is becoming more violent by the day.

Close Contact is a great addition to Lori Foster's Body Armor series (Under Pressure, Hard Justice) of MMA fighters who have made the move into being elite body guards. Miles is the latest fighter to change careers and he meets his match with Maxi Nevar. After a brief, no-strings attached fling it was Maxi who walked away and Miles who found himself feeling rejected. As hurt as he feels about that he doesn't think twice about protecting her from whatever is going on at her house. Maxi tried keeping him at a distance because between the craziness in her life and her bad track record with men, she figured this was the wrong time, wrong place. But Miles is the whole package: smart, strong, brave, loyal, and incredibly good-looking. They have combustible chemistry and Maxi doesn't stand a chance at not falling in love with him. It was fun watching their good intentions (Miles at taking it slow, Maxi at keeping her emotions out of it) fly out the window. There was just enough history between the two of them that it felt like perfectly picking up an ongoing story, without feeling like we were missing any backstory or getting impossible insta-love. Foster does her usual excellent job of building a relationship based on respect and a developing friendship as well as chemistry.

There's also enough of a suspense story to keep the reader on edge and without it feeling like an afterthought. I enjoyed how Foster kept us guessing until the very end at who was responsible for the threats against Maxi- and why. While recurring characters from other books make some cameos, you don't have to have read the other books to thoroughly enjoy Close Contact. Long-time readers will enjoy seeing Leese, Armie, and the regular MMA crew pop up, as well as Foster continuing to set up Brand and Sahara's story (Fast Burn- coming March 2018!).

Close Contact is everything we've come to expect from a Lori Foster book: fast-paced writing; fun, layered characters; humor; and danger. Add in some sexy fighters and about a million cats and this book will keep you hooked! Warning: plan on reading in one sitting, because you won't be able to put Close Contact down once you start!

I was given an ARC (advanced reader's copy) of Close Contact for my honest opinion & that's what you're going to get! ?

I'm not going to lie: it's not hard to love a Lori Foster book. She's in my top three; and, this book didn't let me down either.

Miles is both mad and hurt. The first woman he meets that he is genuinely interested in and she uses him like a tissue and tosses him aside. Butt-hurt? No. Surprisingly angry that she got away and hurt because...go figure! He really liked Maxi. Only...there's two sides to every story and he didn't know that he was actually Maxi's guilty indulgence in a time when she needed happiness the most. Now she's in trouble and knows exactly where to turn, wether he likes her or not!

Miles is dealing with his own internal struggle of which has nothing to do with Maxi but pushes that aside because, no matter what, he won't let anyone hurt her. He realizes she has far more turbulence in her life than he ever stopped to consider along with an astounding amount of resilience. Add to that a very real threat to her life it would seem. It's beginning to turn out that she's not the femme fatale he casted her as but rather someone far more intriguing and even more attractive if that was even possible.

As with all of Foster's characters, Miles & Maxi are believable and you fall in love with them both. That string of integrity and fearlessness that she weaves into her heroes is ever present and Maxi's intelligence and sass shines through easily as well. The character development was, quite frankly, beautiful as it pertained to Maxi. I think we've all felt like her at least once in our lives. And, if anyone can make romance happen on a farm, with 500 cats, and literal fireworks coming at you...it's Miles "the Legend" Dartman.

If you like a little intrigue with your hot, steamy, romance, then this (and most all of Foster's books) are for you. If you're familiar with Foster's Ultimate series then you'll be delighted to read some cameos. If you're a first-timer for Foster, fall in love with Close Contact...then pick up everything she's ever written. I'm not a fan for just any ol' reason.

Close Contact can stand alone; but, why would you want it to? This series (of which this is the 3rd) is amazing and each series before it - that paved the way for it - is equally as wonderful.

Miles Dartman is a former MMA fighter turned bodyguard. He didn't want to quit being a fighter, but in the end he had no choice.
One night while at Rowdy's Miles meets Maxi and the two hit it off. The chemistry is so strong they go back to Miles' place and have a great evening. They meet up a few more times, but then Maxi disappears. Miles never expects to hear from her again, but out of the blue she contacts the agency he works for and requires him to be her bodyguard.

Maxi came into a lot of property and money after her grandmother passed away. She is getting pressured from her siblings to sell and share the profit with them, however Maxi fell in love with the land, the house, and the many cats that inhabit the barn. Maxi has plans for the farm, such as goats, update the farm house, and maybe add in some chickens too.

Maxi has noticed some weird things going on in the house. Things are moved or have gone missing, strange things are happening out on the property and she has no clue what is going on. Then one night she wakes up by the pond with no memories as to how she got there or why she is there. She wakes up very groggy and disoriented. This really scares her and she now needs Miles to protect her, but can he forgive her for running out on him, on them?

Miles is shocked to know that Maxi needs protection from someone wanting her out of the house. Is it someone in the town that wants her gone, is it her one of her siblings, or is it an ex boyfriend who just will not leave her alone?

Maxi and Miles still have a ton of chemistry and can't really keep their hands off of each other. Along the way of them developing their relationship and falling in love, there are still some weird and dangerous things happening to Maxi and her property. There are shootings, a fire, and even harm comes to the cats. But who has it out for Maxi?

A great story all around, I didn't figure out whom was after Maxi until near the end. The suspicion was always on another character, since his actions and his past seem to shed him in a bad light.

Loved this book, Miles and Maxi sure have some hot chemistry and burn up the pages! Another great read by Lori. Can not wait for Brand and Sahara's book next!

Close Contact is Miles “The Legend” Dartman’s story. He left MMA fighting at the top of his career, and even his closest friends don’t know why. He is now working at Body Armor Security and receives a summons from the owner, Sahara Silver. When he arrives in her office he is shocked and dismayed to see Maxi Nevar, a woman he had a connection with, but who dumped him with nary a word. Maxi’s world is upside down and one of the reasons she cut ties with Miles, but she is in trouble and needs help. Someone she can trust, so she hires Miles through Body Armor.

Maxi has inherited her Aunt’s farm complete with a dozen or more cats. Her siblings are furious, and someone or something appears to be moving things in her home. When she awakens near the pond and has no memories of how she got there, she becomes fearful. We soon discover her fears are founded. Oh boy, the setup was great, and you’d have to be blind not to notice the sizzling chemistry between these two.

Suspense, danger and these two alone on a farm in the middle of nowhere fueled this heated, heartfelt romance that fans are sure to love. While there is heat, Foster also allowed the relationship to develop through conversation, interests, and trust. Their relationship, actions, and words felt genuine and had me rooting for a happily ever after.

Goats, kittens and giant turtles added to the story. I adored the farm setting. Aside from the immediate threats, I found myself envious of Maxi’s digs. Miles is all alpha and visions of him making repairs to the barn and digging post holes left me blushing. Foster gives us his backstory, and we learn how he ended up with Body Armor. We also learn some things about other fighters, and I enjoyed these tidbits. For fans of the series and the Ultimate series, we get to see favorite characters as Miles works to make the farm safe. We also get to spend some time with Sahara, and I cannot wait for her story. Fast Burn is set to release in March of 2018.

I liked this book but I can't say that it is my favorite of the series. The book information caught my attention. As did the opening chapter, it was a dramatic beginning. When Miles and Maxi meet up again, it kept the tension going. There will be plenty of tension and action in the story. And twists and turns.

I did like both of the main characters and Maxi sure did have a lot on her plate. I have read other books in this series so it was nice to see some of the other people "visiting" in this one. Sahara, the bodyguards boss shows up as well and always adds a little bit of sparkle and grit to the story. Even with the additional people, I think that the story can stand all on its own without having read any other books in the series.

I guess a drawback for me, was how much time was spent on the regret and shame that Maxi felt for walking out on Miles earlier and leaving him high and dry. Of course, he was angry because he knew almost nothing about her except 3 nights of incredible sex. He had no way of contacting her and he wanted to. However, so much time was spent on Maxi's regret I felt like it slowed the story down a lot. It was too repetitive for my liking. But that's just me.

4.5*

I really enjoyed the first 2 books in the Body Armor series- they're exciting, suspenseful, full of twists and turns, not to mention downright sexy. And Close Contact, the third book, is all that and more. Reminiscent of the books in the Men Who Walk the Edge of Honor series, Close Contact might just be my favorite of the three so far. I love the mystery of this one, and that it's a bit of a second-chance romance. The little history Miles and Maxi shared just added to the intrigue.

The action starts from word one, and the anticipation and uncertainty never let up. Ms. Foster had me guessing through the entire book, trying to figure out just who had it in for Maxi and why they were causing her so much trouble. Just when I thought I had things figured out I'd start questioning myself and everything I thought I knew!

When you open a Lori Foster book there's never a doubt that you're in for an entertaining, captivating, and romantic read, and Miles and Maxi' story did not disappoint. Miles is a quintessential Foster hero- strong, protective, chivalrous. He's the kind of guy that likes to take charge, but is not afraid to back off when necessary. Maxi's very strong in her own right, unwilling to just sit back and let Miles handle things, even though that's what she hired him for. She's willful without being too headstrong.
While their past fling caused a bit of conflict, and Miles really wanted answers, he didn't let it interfere with his job, but he also didn't let Maxi off the hook. Their back and forth, and the inclusion of rest of the Body Armor crew and their women, as well as some of the gang from the Ultimate series, (love them!), added a little levity and fun to what could have been a heavy and more serious story.

And now I'm eagerly awaiting Sahara's story!

“Close Contact”, book three of Lori Foster’s Body Armor series, opens with a hold-your-breath moment as we are immediately dropped into a scene with Maxi Nevar as she tries to figure out where she is and how she got there. Once she realizes, she goes to the only person who can help her decipher what happened to her and to help solve the other strange things occurring on the property she inherited from her grandmother.
Miles Dartman, former MMA fighter and now bodyguard, is shocked to find Maxi in the Body Armor offices. After a couple sexual escapades, Maxi disappeared and now that Miles has her in his sights again, he doesn’t plan on letting go.
Maxi is happy is to have Miles around – more than as a bodyguard – even while wondering if he’ll stay after the mystery is solved.

We learn a lot about Maxi in “Close Contact”. She’s made a mistake in her past that alienated her family and she’s trying to do right by her grandmother’s memory. She’s independent and prefers to handle things on her own.
Unfortunately, the same can’t be said about Miles and I found this disappointing. We do find out why he retired from fighting – about three quarters of the way through the book – but I really wished Ms. Foster would have given us more background history and depth like she has with previous heroes (Rowdy and Armie come to mind).

“Close Contact” has a suspenseful beginning, a somewhat slow middle, and an ending where the energy ramps up when we discover who is causing Maxi trouble. I admit I was trying to figure out who the culprit was and was taken off guard when the person was revealed.

Next up is “Fast Burn”, where we’ll find out if Sahara is successful in luring Brand away from MMA and into the bodyguard business at Body Armor.

I don’t know about you but my brain hates when I read books, I know are in a series, out of order. The great thing about Lori Foster books is you can do that with most of the connected books, and not be totally lost in the process. Now my brain still hates it thoroughly but it isn’t as bad. Close Contact is the 3rd book in the Body Armor series. I have both Under Pressure (Leese’s story) and Hard Justice (Justice’s story) on my waiting to be read shelf but so far others have crept in before them.

Close Contact is Miles’ story. We met Miles in the Ultimate series (another favorite series of mine). And Maxi is Miles love interest in Close Contact. This story flows really well from start to finish. I have no idea if we met or knew about Maxi before this book (hence the brain pain from not knowing haha), but I felt we got to know her pretty well during this book. Miles and Maxi had a back story of a brief hookup that left each one with lingering wanting for the other. Fast forward to an attack on Maxi that lead her to search out the one person she knew she could trust, and the one person she knew would protect her. Throw in some conflict, a who done it, and you have another great Lori Foster novel. I must toot my own horn and say I figured out pretty early who was going to be behind the who done it part of the story but there were still lots of twists and turns getting to the payoff.

On the fun side of the story, Close Contact has some cameo appearances by Leese, Justice, Catalina, Fallon and even briefly Armie, Cannon, Denver and Stack. Love those little nuggets of nostalgia for those of us that love all literary world to be connected and revisited. There is also a great set up during this story for the next novel, Fast Burn, featuring Brand and Sahara. Sadly, not being able to compare it to the first two Body Armor books leaves me a little dissatisfied but knowing Lori Foster novels like I do, I doubt there is much of a difference in this story appeal with the other two. Reading Close Contact has made me doubly excited to get started reading Under Pressure and Hard Justice. I received Close Contact as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I didn’t want to spoil the story too much but wanted to give a good sense of the appeal of this story to you. I hope I’ve made you excited to purchase Close Contact soon.

Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.

Great sexy romance, wonderful mystery plot and a touch of humor make this a good book. I really like the hot romance and mystery, but the angst and martyr and repetitiousness just kinda killed the buzz of a great romantic-suspense lite plot.

Miles and Maxi have had a steamy, sexy, no-strings attached affair and each has been happy with that, well Maxi appeared to be happy, Miles - not so much. Miles is at a point in his life where fighting just isn't enough and his relationship with Maxi, he wants more. Just as Miles seeks to deepen their relationship - Maxi disappears.

Maxi has a lot to deal with, her mother died during a procedure and shortly after, her dear grandmother falls down the stairs and dies. Her affair with Miles, such as it is, was solely to let off the pressure her siblings were heaping on her. When Maxi starts to feel connected to Miles, she splits. Her grandmother's farm is now hers, along with all her many cats and she intends to make it her home, much to the displeasure of her brother and sister who want her to sell and split the proceeds. When strange thing begin happening and Maxi wakes up after being drugged, she is terrified and goes to Body Armor and Miles for protection. Miles was none to happy with the disappearing act Maxi pulled, but the anger soon turns to lust when they are in such close surroundings. Maxi is afraid that Miles will never forgive her, but the sex is just to great not to indulge. 3 1/2 Stars

I love Lori Foster, and I was so glad when she started this series with some of my favorite fighters from her previous books. Miles has just started working for Body Armor when the woman who gave him the best nights of his life then left without a word shows up at his work a mess of her usual self. She needs his protection, and even though he is furious with her and doesn't really trust her, he still wants her. Someone has been gaslighting her and it has turned dangerous. She needs protection, and she will only trust Miles.

This story had so many of my past favorite characters along with really nice steamy scenes, a lot of suspense, and some nicely done misdirection. I'm so ready to get Sahara's and Brand's story next!

I requested an ARC from Net Galley.

Three nights of amazing sex, then an abrupt dismissal. Miles was a former MMA fighter, now a bodyguard with Body Armor. Kind, hot, great listener, caring, a sex god if you will...no exaggeration needed. So what the heck happened? Maxi had only wanted him for sex and it...hurt. It was unexpected, his feelings, but they were real and he was mad!
Maxi woke up, in the field by her grandma's pond. She didn't remember how she got there, she was groggy and nauseous and scared. She knew something had been going on for a while, that someone had been in her home but didn't know who or why. She ran towards the only man she could trust to help and protect her. Would he be willing? Would he forgive her? How long could she keep him in her life before she once again had to let him go?
She has an ex that won't let go, a brother and sister who were demanding she sell her beloved grandma's home so they could get some of the money and enough weird, scary and downright freaky things happening in her life. Was she ever going to catch a break?
As more and more happens we get to visit with friends of Miles's from past books. Visit with them a bit and see a possible future romance if we, the readers, are lucky.
As things unfold and suspects are brought to light, we get to watch Miles and Maxie's love grow and deepen . We see who the real culprit is in all this and we see the person taken down.
Another great story by Ms. Foster. A MUST read.

I received an Advanced Readers Copy for my honest review.

I really enjoy these stories by Ms. Foster, about MMA fighters turned bodyguards. This story follows Miles “The Legend” Dartman and Maxi. Maxi and Miles have a one night (well two one nights) stand but she disappears on him and he decides to move on (well attempt to). Very early into the story we find Maxi waking up outside her home after being drugged. She contacts the agency Miles works for in desperation. Miles gets dragged out of bed early in the morning and finds her in Sahara’s office. Maxi has moved into her grandmother’s farm, and inherited her numerous cats [as in greater than twenty]. She has had a rough life, and her family does not treat her right. Miles was extremely angry at how Maxi disappears on him and I thought he held onto that a little long, but that didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story.

I definitely was surprised when the culprit was revealed in the story. It was almost the end before I narrowed it down to one guess. One of my favorite parts of this book was the side characters, including all of our favorite fighters from the MMA series as well as Justice and Leese. What I enjoyed about them was how they show Maxi what a real family is, blood or no blood. As someone with a close family, I loved how they showed Maxi what that truly means.

I can’t wait to read the next story, as it appears we may learn more about Sahara and her brother! Great addition to the series. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.