Duke

Shannyn Leah knows how to light the fire of romance as two people are forced into a less than happy reunion when Duke becomes the no-nonsense bodyguard in order to keep Sage safe and alive. Neither has known much happiness and the happiness they found briefly has left them both wary and guarded. <br /><br />Duke is determined to keep Sage safe, no matter what it costs his heart. Can Sage keep her heart from being shattered again by the one man she never wanted to see again? <br /><br />Hang on for humor, heart and heat as Shannyn Leah brings <b>DUKE</b> to life with smoldering emotions. Searing looks and a craving between two people that borders on a love/hate relationship!<br /><br />Sexy, sassy and even prickly at times, this read is filled with the passion only great writing can breathe life into! I love Shannyn Leah’s keen sense of romance, humor and her ability to create chaos of the heart for two people meant for each other! Besides, who could resist a Bad Boy!<br /><br />I received a complimentary ARC edition from Shannyn Leah!<br /><br />Series: Bad Boys of Willow Valley - Book 3

Duke and Sage parted in a bad way. Sage went down a path of destruction and Duke went on with a life of loneliness focusing on his bodyguard skills. Sage pulls herself out of the muck and she and her mother are doing well. That is until Sage's father is killed and someone shots her mother. Duke comes back in the picture to keep them safe. But keeping his and Sage's hearts safe are another thing. I received a complimentary copy and I am voluntarily reviewing.

So after I read Stone’s book (book 2 in the series), I was really hoping book 3 would be about Hawk. Instead we have Duke’s story which actually turned out to be what I wanted.<br /><br />Up until this point Duke was just Bowie’s bodyguard but in this book we get to see the man behind the suit - and what a man he is!<br /><br />Now that Bowie is happily married to Stone, she no longer requires a bodyguard and that means Duke suddenly finds himself retired and on vacation. It isn’t long however before his next job comes along in the form of his ex-lover, Sage.<br />Unfortunately things didn’t end well between them and Sage still hasn’t forgotten that fact. She would rather be as far away from Duke as possible regardless of the fact that her life is in danger. Despite the way things ended there is undeniable sexual tension between them - can they both fight their attraction or will their unexpected reunion force them to face their true feelings?<br /><br />Another fast paced story from Shannyn Leah. What she does really well is create leading men that are everything you’d hoped for; strong, loyal, passionate and hot! Duke is all of those things and more. This book gives a real insight into what made him choose his profession and why he ended things with Sage. His back story was heartbreaking to read.<br /><br />My main criticism of this book is that nothing really happens with the whole death threat, Sage’s life’s is danger plot line. After the initially action, the story concentrates fully on the relationship between Duke and Sage and their respective pasts. It’s not until the end of the book that this is raised again and is resolved fairly easily. It seems like the only reason this plot line is there is to push the two lead characters together. There is an unexpected twist at the end though that I didn’t see coming and I really liked.<br /><br />All in all it was a good read and I’m glad we got to see Duke’s history as I really like his character but this one wasn’t as good as the first two in my opinion - 3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️<br /><br />Thank you to the author for providing a copy. All opinions are my own and provided willingly.

Love love love this book! Duke has always been on alert, never really relaxed long enough for fun. When he gets called to protect the one woman he has always loved and never forgotten, well things begin to change. Sage just lost the father she never really had a relationship with, then her mom gets shot right in front of her. Then the one man who hurt her and could never forget is the man to protect her. This book has so much to offer. It is a must read. Some laughter, some mystery, many truths come out as well as so much love! I love this series and love Shannyn Leah's writing style. Her books just keep getting better and better.

Even though Duke doesn't work for Bowie now he has no idea to shake being a protector so when the Mum of a past love he walked away from contacts him needing help for her and her daughter Sage he jumps at it. Sage is fantastically feisty and bitter towards not only Duke but Bowie so having to be helped by him and be around Bowie is not a good idea. It is great to get to know Duke after meeting him in Stone (book 2) and his tragic past so you get why he protects people. There is plenty of sexual tension, frustration and secrets revealed that made this a great read and can not wait to see who the next book is about ... maybe Hawk?

This novel is another winner by Shannyn Leah. It is everything that a great novel should be. It is full of excitement from Duke and Sage's past to even more excitement in their newly found present. There are twists and turns that you don't see coming, much sadness caused by circumstance, and even more happiness that comes with the discovery of truth. Amid the sadness and stress also comes comedy and fun. Friend to enemies, to newly discovered friends again, Sage and Bowie bring a laugh or two, and what a great idea, a paint filled water balloon fight. This story brings two angst filled people together and they each find truth and freedom that comes from coming to grips with the past and present and learning that everything isn't always what it seems. Book three in this series come out ahead of book one and two, I can't wait to hear more from Willow Valley to catch up with the gang.

Loved this book. A great story on second chances. Plenty of twist and turns through out. Great chemistry between characters. Loved how they worked through their personal demons to find their hea.<br />I received a free copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving a review

Love this book! Duke is amazing. Duke has had a rough life. He witnessed something no ten year old should. His life is now to protect people. Sage was a job before that went bad. Her life is now on the line again and her mother called in the only one she trust. Will he relive his past or can he protect her at all cost, even his heart.

This book was very good and I enjoyed reading it. It was not what I expected going into it. Which is great because it's rare that a book can actually surprise me anymore. In the beginning Duke is very closed off and Sage is very rebellious which makes for a very awkward reunion. I really like the dynamic between Duke and Sage and how they are both so different yet at the core they are the same. I love having that bit of Stone and Bowie come into this story. Another great book in the Bad Boys of Willow Valley series and I cannot wait for more.

Loved it!! Great read with some good twists and lots of fun between the characters!