Guarded by the Hero by Mandi Blake Review

 Happy Monday Friends :)

I pray you've all had a great weekend, and that you're all enjoying the start of October.

Our area has been going through an extremely abnormal heat wave, and as such, it sadly has not felt like fall yet. This is very weird for us as we're usually well into colder temps by now, but this year it still feels like summer.

One thing that definitely helps me look forward to the cooler temps is reading some of the many amazing Christmas books that are being released this year, and today I'm excited to share with you all a review of one of my all time favorite author's upcoming releases.

This is the second year she's been participating in a multi author series collection called The Heroes of Freedom Ridge series, and each title in the series revolves around a character that makes their home in the small fictional town of Freedom Ridge, Colorado.

I loved Mandi's last installment in this series, (you can read that review here), and I loved this year's just as much.

I can't wait to share all about this one with you, and I'm looking forward to reading more of the books from this series in the hopefully very near future.

Keep reading to check out my full review.

Guarded by the Hero by Mandi Blake:

Source: Complimentary Copy Provided by the Author

Publication Date: October 6th, 2021

Genre: Christian Fiction/Contemporary

Series: Heroes of Freedom Ridge

Synopsis:

His job is to protect her, not to fall in love with her.

Heath Mitchell learned his security skills during his time in the US Marine Corps. After spending his first few years in the civilian world as the head of security for the Freedom Ridge Resort, he’s ready to branch out and help form a security firm. Things are just getting off the ground when he meets his sister’s friend. When a hit and run breaks into their meeting, she becomes his first client instead of his girlfriend.

Claire Odom has grown accustomed to a quiet life in the small town of Freedom. The perils of her past seem long gone until they resurface when she meets Heath. Determined to protect her, he becomes her full-time bodyguard. His good looks and the security he brings make it hard for her to remember he's only there because she hired him.

Heath and Claire grow closer as they fight to outrun their unknown enemies. Loyalties are broken, and unlikely alliances are formed as the quiet town of Freedom bands together to protect their friends this Christmas season. But is their new found love just a reaction to the fear or was it always meant to be?

Return to Freedom, Colorado and enjoy the faith, friendships, and forever-afters of the Heroes of Freedom Ridge in this Christian Christmas romance.

(synopsis from goodreads)

My Review:

I always look forward to Mandi Blake's new book releases, and I couldn't wait to travel back to Freedom Ridge for another Christmas season. Heath and Claire's story was everything I was hoping for and more, and I honestly cannot recommend this beautiful, faith based romance enough.

I've long appreciated the fact that this author isn't afraid to tackle tough subject matter in her stories, and I loved the overall message that while we may feel broken from past hurts and traumas, Christ is always ready to help put us back together if we're only willing to let Him. The message goes a lot deeper than I was expecting in a holiday story, and it left me with tears in my eyes and an extra appreciation for Mandi's amazing talent that she's choosing to use to honor Him.

The romance is well developed, well paced, and even though it's fast, it never feels like insta love. Heath and Claire also show such maturity in the situations they find themselves in, and both are insistent on honoring Christ and each other throughout the entirety of their developing romance. 

I loved this story from start to finish, and I can't wait to reread it in the very near future. I sincerely hope that Mandi is going to give readers Tessa's story in the future, as I would absolutely love getting to read about her again. 

If you're looking for a heartwarming, Christmas read with the perfect touch of suspense, then Guarded by the Hero is definitely the book for you. If you haven't yet read a book by Mandi Blake, then this is the perfect one to start with, and you definitely need to see what you've been missing.

Final Rating: 5/5.

Thanks so much to Mandi Blake for allowing me to advance read and review this!

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary advance reader copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Thanks so much for reading guys! Have a great rest of your day :)