Maggie Blackbird

Today, I’m reviewing Protecting Joyce, book five in the Love Me or Leave Me series by Cameron Allie, a contemporary romance.

****

Author:  Cameron Allie
Title:  Protecting Joyce
Series:  Love Me or Leave Me, book five
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Publisher:  Changeling Press
Publication Date:  October 18, 2019
Pages:  107

Blurb:  After Alex saves her from being assaulted on the side of the road next to her broken down car, Joyce quickly discovers the only way she feels safe is by sleeping in his arms. But despite the security he gives her, there are questions about Alex that Joyce can’t seem to bring herself to ask. Will he ever want a commitment? What does he feel for the woman who used to have a “friends with benefits” relationship with him for over a decade? More importantly, can he ever love Joyce with the same intensity she feels for him?

Alex has never met a woman more perfect than Joyce. Her innocent sensuality delivers a hard kick to his gut. She’s sweet and talented and brave. She’s more than he could have ever dreamed of, and their relationship seems, at times, to be too good to be true. So what’s keeping him from saying those three little words he longs to say?

****

This was a well plotted and well written novella.  I really enjoyed the main characters:  Alex and Joyce.  Both have insecurities that drive them, and together, they face a horrific incident when Joyce is assaulted on the side of the road, and Alex, an acquaintance, comes to her aid.

Everyone reacts differently to living nightmares.  For Joyce, after coming close to being raped, she finds solace in the man who helped her.  Before she was abused by the stranger on the side of the road, there’d been a light mutual attraction at the restaurant where she works between her and Alex.  As for Alex, he recognises Joyce on the side of the road.

Naturally, Joyce is consumed by the assault and drifts into a deep depression.  She convinces herself if she can be held by Alex, all will be okay.  The two become “friends with benefits” out of fear of revealing their true feelings than sexual need.

Joyce is afraid to state how she feels because she’s heard through the grapevine that Alex isn’t the type of man to get serious.  As for Alex, after what Joyce has experienced, he’s afraid to bare his true feelings.

Their predicament ties in with the theme of the series:  love me or leave me.

There is growth in the characters.  The court scenes were very realistic.  The sex scenes were well written, and same for their building feelings for each other.  I especially loved what occurred during the last two chapters.  This was well executed and a great way to end the story.

Do yourself a favour and get a copy at Changeling Press.

 

Have you read Protecting Joyce?  If so, do you agree with my review?  If you haven’t read the book, are you willing to now?