Laila was certain of one thing and it was that she wanted nothing to do with spoiled entitled rich people. When she finds herself as a bodyguard to one of the most eligible, and richest, bachelor she’s not amused. Especially when she has to pretend to be his wife.
Defending Honor by Kelly Underwood was a thrilling read. Danger and excitement started from page one as the Elite Guardians and the police department tried to figure out who wanted Preston dead before they succeeded at their task. Yet, there were moments of connection between Laila and Preston that had you cheering for their happily ever after.
Preston had a lot stacked against him when he returned as most of the people in his life wanted him to fail for their own selfish reasons. I liked that though there were times when he considered giving up, he was able to find the drive to push through or got encouragement from someone.
Laila had her reasons for wanting to protect her heart but I liked watching her reveal pieces of herself to Preston. He saved her as much as she saved him and it was wonderful to see how they made each other better.
I suspected who the villain was early in the book but Ms. Underwood did a great job of presenting a full cast of potential suspects. Especially since there were so many despicable characters to choose from.
There were some scenes that didn’t jibe with the depiction of the characters. For example, the way the author tried to convey the mother as being loving and concerned while self-medicating with drugs and alcohol. Still, I enjoyed reading Defending Honor and look forward to reading more books by this author.
Readers will be reminded that we’re not meant to fight our battles in our own strength. Instead, we should allow God to fight our battles because His weapons are greater than any that we have access to on our own.
There is also the reminder that while people may not be able to change on their own, God has the ability to change their hearts and their characters.
Readers will also be encouraged to leave the mistakes of their past behind so they can fully embrace the present and make changes for a brighter future.
If you like the bodyguard, fake marriage, man in peril, or redemption tropes, you’ll enjoy Defending Honor.
I received an advanced reader’s copy from the publisher through Just Read Tours, a positive review was not required. Defending Honor is the third book in the Elite Guardians Collection but can be read alone.
About Defending Honor: An Elite Guardians Novel (Elite Guardians Collection Book 3)
She trusts no one…
Bodyguard Laila Rabbinowitz is all business. Tough and stoic, she was the perfect Mossad agent…until a terrible betrayal led to her worst nightmare. Being a bodyguard with the Elite Guardians allows her to keep her heart safe—she’ll never get involved with a client, never let anyone close enough to betray her again. And she’s certainly not going to trust anyone who doesn’t earn it.
He needs protection…
Billionaire Preston Whittaker walked away from his famous family after a terrible event, but he’s put that behind him—or so he thinks. When his father and brother are killed in a suspicious boating accident, he must take the helm of the family business and carry on the family legacy. But someone doesn’t want him at the helm. They want him dead.
She’ll have to pretend to be his wife to save his life…
Enter the Elite Guardians. Preston is going to need someone by his side 24/7, and the only solution is…a fake marriage. Laila needs to pull off acting as the trophy wife to the country’s most eligible bachelor. With the eyes of the paparazzi on them, she’ll have to convince everyone that she and Preston are in love.
But what will it cost her heart?
Preston’s reputation as a party playboy precedes him, and Laila doesn’t belong in his world filled with parties and money. But is there more to Preston Whittaker that the world doesn’t see? Maybe, in time, he’s someone Laila could learn to trust. Only problem is, the danger is closer than they both know…and time is running out.
Book three of the riveting, high-octane world of the Elite Guardians reboot!
Purchase Defending Honor on Amazon
About Kelly Underwood
Kelly Underwood’s favorite things are reading, writing, and drinking coffee. She was born in New Hampshire, but don’t ask her about snow, because she’s been a Florida girl since she was twelve. She writes book reviews for her blog bestinsuspense.com and is an active member of the Central Florida chapter of the American Christian Fiction Writers. She’s a sucker for a good suspense novel, the kind you have to read cover-to-cover until the mystery is solved and the bad guys are in handcuffs. If you’re looking for her, she’s probably on her back patio with a Kindle in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other.