“I can’t get you out of my head. Even when you’re right next to me, I’m thinking about you.”

As if being a sexy, successful movie star isn’t enough, Rocco Monroe is also book boyfriend perfect. *Sigh* I’m in love. And not just with Rocco. With Annabelle. And with this book. Last First Kiss is now the second book I’ve read by Sidney Halston, and though it wrapped up sooner than I expected/wanted, it was one hell of an exciting, engaging and sexy story.

Where to start? I was SO into the premise here—male movie star, female bodyguard, undeniable attraction, life threatening danger. You already know I’m all about Rocco—his protective vibe, his words and actions, the dusting of grey at his temples—so let’s talk Annabelle. She was awesome. Brash, impulsive but strong as hell when she needed to be, and soft and open when it counted. Normally a character sharing a name with one of my kids might bother me, but not here. If my daughter grows to be as kickass as Annabelle Clad, I’ll think I’ve done a-okay.

But more than just these two characters won me over when it came to Last First Kiss. Joey’s big brother act and the subsequent bickering and banter, Paul’s friendship, the mystery of the movie, the suspense that worked well alongside the sex and the sweet. It was a fab combination and made for a book that was just so damn readable, I struggled to put it down.

While it is true I wish it had wrapped up with a little less speed—there are a couple of things I would have liked to see tied up or spotlighted—there’s absolutely no denying that this book is one I thoroughly enjoyed and that this series is one I hope to see more of. Nor is there any denying that Rocco is the just about the perfect blend of book boyfriend and movie star—and that Annabelle was awesome.

“I mean, you’re twenty-seven years old, and you’re absolutely stunning. And I say that as a man with eyes, not as a man who’s hitting on you. Although, please, be aware, I’m hitting on you. I’ve been doing that since we met.”

~ 4.5 Crazy STARS ~

Am a HUGE fan of the series so far! I love how easily the author draws you into the story, you can't put it down once you start. Definitely one of my favourite reads of the year!

4 stars!

Love this one! A gorgeous celebrity/bodyguard romance with a twist, as the badass bodyguard is actually a woman, with a smitten alpha moviestar who falls hard for her. It’s fun, sexy and beautifully romantic with a suspense twist, and it’s such a great read. It’s the second book in the Iron Clad Security series, but can easily be read as a standalone.

Rocco Monroe is a huge moviestar. But his career has been made from being the romantic hero, and after a number of flops, he needs a hit, badly. He has just been cast in his first dramatic role and it’s one that could make his career, but playing a real-life Columbian drug lord has all sorts of controversy attached to it, and the film, and him in particular, are facing violence and death threats from the deceased drug lord’s supporters.

In order to protect their investment, the studio insists that Rocco have a bodyguard for the four months of filming. He is less than impressed by this, but during his initial meeting at Iron Clad Security he meets Annie Clad, and seeing her bold feistiness and wicked moves first hand, he knows he has to have her. Plus, with his bodyguard being a hot young woman, he insists that she act as his girlfriend in public so that she can be around him 24/7 as required, but nobody will know that he ‘needs’ protection.

“My bodyguard is five foot seven, strawberry blond, hazel eyes, fucking stacked, and fucking beautiful. I don’t think she knows who the hell I am.”


Annie is the youngest in her family, with her and her four brothers all being a part of different branches of the armed forces. Annie herself served in Afghanistan, and it was there that she lost everything. Now she is back home and working in her older brother, Joey’s security business, and she is desperate to get out from behind the desk where they have placed her and do some field work. When the opportunity comes up to work with Rocco Monroe, she knows this is the opportunity she needs to prove herself once and for all, and she takes her new mission seriously – despite Rocco’s plans.

“The point is, I’m here to work.”
“And part of that work entails that you pretend we’re dating.”
“That’s outside this house. In here, I’m just your bodyguard.”
He stepped closer, his breath too close to her ear. “But out there, you’re mine.”


There’s no surprise where this story is going to go. There is some back and forth, teasing, banter and flirting, and a whole lot of chemistry and sexual tension, and I thought their dynamic was so much fun!

“I already know you like me. More than like me. So you can play it off as if you don’t feel the same way, but I know the truth, Tiger … It’s cute how you’re trying to act unfazed. “
“Please, I already did the jealous girlfriend thing. I’m not acting unfazed.”
“Aww, do you admit you’re my girlfriend. Look at you, all girly and sweet.”
She turned back around and scowled and held up her middle finger. “Screw you, Monroe.”
He firmly grabbed her wrist and took that middle finger into his mouth. And sucked. “As you wish,” he said with a growl.


What surprised me about this book though, was the progression of the relationship between Rocco and Annie. It’s a slow burn, with more emotion than just straight-up lust, and I loved how this book had the feeling of a beautiful love story. Of course there is lust there, but there’s true relationship development and real feelings, and I love how easily and naturally Rocco and Annie slip into a functional, honest relationship that is truly special.

“It’s gonna be awesome to watch you fall in love with me, Tiger.”


Their hooking up isn’t openly accepted – with Annie’s brothers, and Rocco’s co-star creating trouble, and then there’s Rocco’s alpha need to protect his woman, despite the fact that she is there to protect him. The conflict is realistic and understandable, and I thought it was handled really well. And of course there’s the real conflict – the reason that Annie was appointed in the first place. The mystery and suspense surrounding who is targeting Rocco and the film, and what their plans are, tie in really nicely to the story, and create a sense of excitement as the anticipation builds to an exciting finish.

I really enjoyed this book. Rocco is a great character – confident and charming yet down to earth and completely open to all that he feels for Annie. And Annie is just awesome. Smart, sassy and brave, I could understand her motivations and her determination to do her job, and again, I loved how willing she was to open herself up to Rocco and explore things with him.

“I don’t want to put a time limit on what we could have. I just…I just want to be with you.”


It’s a gorgeous love story with lots of emotion and a nice amount of sexy time, and a mystery/suspense element that adds to the story rather than overwhelming it. Really well done and I’m excited to carry on with the series.

4 stars.

This series has me hooked on romantic suspense. The first book left me begging for more and I couldn't wait to read the second.

Last First Kiss has a bad a$$ heroine who is fighting to prove she can hack it in a man's world. She's independent and strong and she's not taking any crap from the men around her. I loved this about her!!

Annie is fighting demons from her past and Rocco is her ticket to proving she deserves to be a real part of Iron Clad Security. She can't fall for the charming, devastatingly handsome heartthrob. But, that might be easier said than done. Rocco needs her help.

I really loved both of these characters. I loved the conflict that Rocco felt towards Annie. He's a man, after all. Men are supposed to protect their women not the other way around. Their chemistry was electric and I fell hard for Rocco and his alpha possessive ways. It was nice to see the guys from ICS and catch up a little. I loved how protective they are of Annie. Joey is great in the role of big brother and I really hope he gets a book soon.

I'm loving this series more and more, and I can't wait to see what's next.

This is a really good book. Great characters and action. I'm ready for the next one. I posted a review on Goodreads.

Loved this book in the series! I thought the plot was unique, I haven't read many books in which the main female character is a bodyguard. I can certainly understand Annie's feelings of discontent when it comes to her career, and with the way her brothers seem to forget she's actually a more than capable woman who served on the front lines of Afghanistan (and that is no cake walk, I too was deployed more than once to locations in the Middle East). So her client is Rocco Monroe, Hollywood actor who doesn't think he needs additional security, but with his current role, better safe than sorry. The chemistry between Annie and Rocco is pretty hot, and I liked seeing Annie grow from a somewhat naive young woman into someone who owns her sexuality with Rocco.

4.5 Stars!

I never knew about talented author Sidney Halston until I read her latest book, Last First Kiss. This is a terrific story, replete with intrigue, a strong-willed heroine, and a celebrity romance. This is the second book from Ms. Halston's Iron Clad Security series, and it can be completely enjoyed as a standalone.

Former Corporal Annabelle Clad, or Annie to her family and friends, is growing to despise her IT career with her brother's security company. She is the youngest and only female in a family of five siblings, who each served honorably in the armed forces. She needs to stretch her legs with some fieldwork, but her overprotective brother feels compelled to keep her safe and sound in the office. Annie was on the front lines in Afghanistan, and she very successfully served her country. Sometimes her memories of the past overtake her present.

Rocco Monroe is a gorgeous and talented A-list actor that needs a bodyguard. His new film about the kingpin of the Colombian drug cartel, is causing quite a stir both in the United States and Columbia. Although Rocco does not believe he needs protection, the production company he works for thinks otherwise. As as result, Annie is hired to be his girlfriend and bodyguard, much to the dismay of both her brother and Rocco. As Rocco and Annie get to know each other, they fall into lust and love.

This is quite an impassioned book. I loved Annie's independence and vulnerabilities. Her war experience was tragic, and I felt her emotional turmoil deep within my soul. Rocco surprised me with his ability to be the complete opposite of a diva. Annie and Rocco are a sexy couple, and I liked how Annie's innocence in the bedroom evolved into so much more. Overall, this is a well-written love story about two characters that I could not get enough of.

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

I enjoyed this book a lot, the fact that the female lead character was a bodyguard was what initially sold me! Annie the main female character was portrayed as a strong and kickass character, essentially the roles were reversed between the main characters, Annie was the hired bodyguard who is assigned with protecting Rocco the famous movie star. It was refreshing to see the female character as the assertive character in the story, in books or media in general, the male love interest is usually the one portrayed this way.

There were a few things that bothered me while I was reading, for instance, the fact that Annie's brothers and even Rocco a few times second guessed Annie's ability to do her job. They kept seeing her a fragile little girl, when in reality she had the qualifications and capability to do her job. Something else that I did not like were the pet names used by Rocco for Annie, but that's just my personal preference and has nothing to do with the pot of the book. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and definitely recommend it.

Last First Kiss by Sidney Halston, was a book I couldn't wait to get my hands on. An A-List Actor and a female bodyguard. This isn't a trend I see much of sadly, and I'm so glad I found Last First Kiss. It was a fun, witty, suspenseful novel that I couldn't put down. What I loved was that the heroine Annie knew how to pack a punch. Took nothing from anyone, just because she is a woman, doesn't mean she can't be a bodyguard.
The chemistry between Annie and Rocco were off the CHARTS! The banter between these two with the hot swoony scenes were the icing on the cake.
This is by far my favorite off Sidney's, and I can't wait to read more from her in the future.
 
*Huge thanks to the publisher for sending me a copy.*

Fancy pants actor is reluctant to hire a bodyguard despite death threats but is convinced once a sexy IT specialist and veteran literally knocks him down a peg.

Annie, trying to show her overprotective brothers that she is a vital member of their family's security business, takes the job despite Rocco's obvious attraction to her and her definitely unprofessional feelings for him.

A fun premise, but uneven in execution. Annie's compulsive and whiny especially to her family and Rocco often comes off like a creep instead of sexy (to me). I was especially annoyed with the 'let's make Annie pretend to be the girlfriend' trope. Oh, now you MUST kiss me in public (gross) and you have to wear sexy clothes, etc. No thanks. Why not an assistant, a personal trainer, or even a social media guru?

Last First Kiss grabbed my attention, not just because this author is a favorite of mine, but because I love when there's a role reversal like this. It's the heroine that's the bodyguard and the hero that's the movie star. And sadly this isn't something I see a lot in Romance books.

I loved that Rocco had a hard time not wanting to be under Annie's protection and instead wanted to be the one protecting her. The battles between them over it really showed their connection and how much sexual tension was between them, Plus I loved getting to see Annie put Rocco in his place and prove that she was more than enough to keep him safe. There chemistry was very captivating and I from one page to the next I was dying to get more of them together.

Both of these characters were strong in their own way, and when they came together it was a force that no one could break. Annie was my favorite character from the book though and I loved how she didn't let people's opinions off how she should do her job beat her down. She was very resilient and I admired that about her, especially when more about her past was revealed.

Bottom line, this book is not one you want to pass up. It can easily be read as a standalone, but if you're anything like me it will leave you begging for Joey's story to be next. Seriously, I'm going to need his book ASAP.

So exciting. I enjoyed how Sidney Halston made the main female Annabelle so strong and yet still soft at the same time. There were definitely moments in this book that I actually laughed out loud because of how Annabelle interacts with Rocco the much loved and hated movie star that she wants to guard. She doesn't take slack from anyone and the way she carries herself makes her a great role model for strong women everywhere.
The chemistry that appears between Rocco and Annabelle is off the charts hot and definitely adds to the substance and strength of this book. I look forward to the next installment in the Iron Clad Security series
Thank you NetGalley and Sidney Halston for the opportunity to read and leave an honest review of this book.

The story of finding one's true love along with being one's protector make this an enjoyable read. The development of the characters is genuine and realistic. Having a strong female presence was a bonus for this book. We often see this in the male character and in this book Annie is dominant. I loved reading this book. I would recommend it to anyone who likes romance and action.

Last First Kiss by Sidney Halston  review

This story is seriously worth ever second and hour of your time!!! I have never cheered on a stronger female lead than Annabelle Clad.  This take charge badass had me giving her a standing ovation in the first twenty minutes! The detail that goes into her background  is well written and accurately detailed. I believed ever second of this story and wished that it would not end. Even our macho lead Rocco Monroe  will get you right in the feels.

If you have not read the first book in the Iron Clad Security  series, don't worry this book can stand alone and not leave you wanting.

Way to knock another one out of the park Sindey!!! (Insert theater of fans giving you a standing ovation!!!) I cannot wait to see what happens next in this series with Joey Clad!

*ARC courtesy of NetGalley. Thank you!*

I loved this book! Here's why:

> I loved the role reversal. Annie, the heroine, is strong, kickass, snarky with a hidden sweetness that perfectly throws off and complements Rocco, the hot-shot male celebrity she's assigned to protect. She's the bodyguard! How cool is that!

> I loved that both books in the Iron Clad series have characters (this time it's Annie) who have a military aspect/link/background. I have great respect and admiration and gratitude for anyone who gives of themselves and serves in the military and I love how Ms Halston's words/descriptions/character stories are always so respectful of the sacrifices these people go through day in and day out. Her characters always have a depth to them that is authentic, true, and very relatable to readers.

> I loved how that the book is meaty with drama and action without being a OTT angst-fest.

> I loved how there's humor, witty/sexy banter, and swoony moments interspersed throughout the story.

> The pacing of the plot was awesome.I didn't want the story to end. And if I had one bad thing to say, it is that I wish there was an epilogue because I wanted more Rocco and Annie!

I would definitely recommend this book. It's got a little bit of everything --- steamy scenes, sweet feels, badass action, and more importantly, great characters. It's really well-written. And if you haven't read book 1: Kiss Marry Kill (Iron Clad Security, #1) by Sidney Halston, I'd really recommend that one too!

Thank you Sidney Halston for another great story! I can't wait for the next ICS book!

A woman bodyguard and a male celebrity in a reversal of roles sounded exciting and ‘Last First Kiss’ did seem at first, like The Bodyguard, except that a kickass woman is taking the reins and showing the world’s who’s boss. But I found myself struggling very early on, and that was mostly with characterisation.

I had a problem with the characters not acting their ages from the start; the squabbling between the siblings of Iron Clad Security felt like a college-project quarrel, as did Rocco's constant sexualisation of every movement that Annie made that made him like a creep than a swoonworthy hero. But Annie lashed out as well, like a teenager instead of a professional bodyguard as well in so many instances that it was hard to take her seriously, let alone a pairing that couldn’t seem to act like the adults they were. Rocco later insisted on trying to be the protector instead, and that lack of respect for Annie’s job—when all he wanted was to see her as his girlfriend and he the alpha male sort—was frustrating beyond measure when most of the squabbling was about Annie’s supposed inability to do her job.

Unfortunately, that was what did it for me. I couldn’t quite continue when both Annie and Rocco didn’t get past this issue without any more of the arguments along the lines of ‘I can’t lose you’ said by males who seem to love nothing but smothering the women.

Rocco Monroe is Hollywood's "it man" who feels he finally has the movie role that will take him from the stereotypical "hot actor" category right into a "talented actor" slot. The problem is that the role is causing somewhat of a stir and the movie executives are forcing him to hire a bodyguard. When he goes to the security firm the big wigs suggest, he is expecting a hulking man to be his guard. While at the security meeting, Rocco is mesmerized by a beautiful woman...who wants to take the reins on being his bodyguard!!!!

Annabelle Clad may be gorgeous, but she is a forced to be reckoned with!! Having extensive training, which includes 8 years in the Army, Annie is ready and able to be a bodyguard. Being behind a desk at her family security company isn't what Annie wants to be doing forever, she's ready for action. Trying to convince her protective older brother's AND Rocco Monroe that she is more than capable of being Rocco's bodyguard isn't easy, but she expects that. What Annabelle doesn't expect is that her personal and professional lines are about to get super blurry!!

Last First Kiss is such an entertaining action packed romance novel!! From the beginning I loved the premise of this novel and I think Sidney Halston has a real talent with keeping readers hooked 100% through the book. There weren't any parts that lagged for me and I LOVED the unexpected twists throughout. I thought Sidney Halston did an amazing job with giving us Annie's past and how that weighs heavily on her daily life. It was so awesome to read about a female in a typical male profession and totally kicking butt at it! Last First Kiss is a 4.5 star novel that you don't want to miss!! As always, I'm excited to read whatever Sidney Halston comes out with next!!

Loved this second in the Iron Clad series! I thought Jax and Megan were great in Kiss Marry Kill but Rocco and Annie now claim the spot!

Hot shot, bad ass Annie Clad is sister to Joey Clad, part owner with Jax Irons in Iron Clad Security. After serving 8 years in the Army, Annie is ready for what's next in her life. Hiding a tragic event while serving, Annie forges on and wants to become a field agent rather than just behind the computer. When Rocco Monroe, hot, sexy movie star needs a bodyguard yet doesn't want a man so that he appears weak- Rocco wants Annie for the job, not only because she is hot and sexy and could pose as his girlfriend, but also because she put him on his ass in a take down he didn't even see coming.

Annie moves in with Rocco and she is determined to keep this mission professional and prove herself to her brother and ICS. Rocco on the hand wants a no holds bar fling during this time and is dead set on getting his way.

When one says no and one is determined for a yes- especially when the chemistry is sizzling between them- it makes for a sexual tensed times. Top it off with the threats that Rocco doesn't take serious and Annie just has a sixth sense about and it makes for a sexy, intense and action read.

Loved how strong, sexy and confident Annie is yet becomes soft, sweet and vulnerable with Rocco. Loved how Rocco was nothing like what is presumed of a movie star and the soft, sensuous and down to earth side his showed Annie.

Great story!