Aroura Sunshine is ready to start her new job at a security agency, that is until she realizes that she and the boss former Navy Seal Jackson Sheppard have slept together but before she can give notice the team is given an assignment of taking care of an infant. She comes from a large family knows all about that and agrees to the job. The problem though she is teamed up with Jackson. They go into a nice quiet suburb community hoping to blend in and after a while, they end up on the run and really going around as a couple. The action keeps this story going but them having to pose as a couple and Jackson not used to being in his comfort zone really adds to the story for me. I really liked the story and the characters.

A fascinating read that kept me gripped enough to read from start to finish in one hit
Such a cute story for this time of year. A lovely light-hearted read. Warms my heart

Great romance with a bit of mystery involved. You instantly know something is not right when “Buster” is dropped off. Read this book in one sitting w/o putting it down because I had to know what was going on and how it would end!

This is an enjoyable and entertaining story with plenty of action, suspense, and romance. Jackson tends to keep a distance from relationships and any serious attachments, except for those in his circle of SEAL buddies. But when he meets Aurora, they hit it off and end up spending the night together, not realizing that she would be working for his agency, Sheppard Security. Then they find themselves caring for a baby that has been mysteriously left at the agency. The baby is imot safe and as they go on the run to protect it, danger follows close behind. The storyline was exciting and full of suspense and caught my attention from the start and held it all the way through. This is a very well-written story with plenty of drama and action that will keep you turning the pages. A very enjoyable and entertaining story for sure!

I received a complimentary advanced reader's copy from Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

This book grab you and won’t let go. The two main characters are Aurora and Jackson. They meet in a bar and don’t even tell their names but have a one night stand. The next day, Aurora goes to her new job and guess who her boss is, Jackson. Jackson owns a security company. So a case comes up where Aurora and Jackson take care of a baby and are on the run. The bad guys get caught and Aurora tells Jackson she is pregnant. He has some issues but they work through them and declare their love.

Protecting His Pretend Family is cute and enjoyable, which may not be exactly what you're looking for in a romantic suspense. That said, I liked it well enough for it to merit almost a full four stars.

The book starts off with Aurora and Jackson meeting at a bar and having a one-night stand. Jackson steals away in the morning. Neither of them realize that she is about to start working for him at his security firm as a temp secretary. (She has ambitions of being hired full-time eventually but preferably in the role of researcher. It's never quite clear if and when she got the education that would qualify her for that particular line of work.) We never actually see the moment when they first see each other at work though; oddly, that moment happens "off screen" as the book picks up a month after she's been at the company.

Aurora doesn't precisely fit in at the agency; she grew up on a commune and still embraces much of that lifestyle. (It is never fully clear why she left outside of the usual "I want more.") For his part, Jackson is pretending they never met. He was abandoned as a child, doesn't believe in love, etc.

Aurora is about to quit when a baby is literally dumped off at the firm's doorway by Jackson's former colleague with minimal information other than the baby's life is at risk. Being the only person in the room with any experience with kids, Aurora is convinced to stay on as an "operative." She and Jackson go on the run with the baby as a pretend family while the team tried to figure out more info.

The rest of the story is a series of them running from safe house to safe house. The potential threats they face are more theoretical than actual, and the security issue resolves a little too easily for my taste. The relationship issue takes a tiny bit longer to resolve.

I liked the two characters well enough, though Aurora can be a little too twinkly and Jackson a tad too cynical at times. They work well together though even though they seem like polar opposites.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion. Thanks!

This was my first book by this author. And although this book didn't hook me as much as the blurb initially did, it was still a good read. Steamy & fast.
The story line kept you on your toes and constantly needing to know what happened next. One night stand then BAM - a baby is involved, oh and the guy from last night? Her boss. (HA!)

3 stars - I liked this book but I didn't love it. And there was something missing from the characters that made them feel real to me. I would read more of their books in the future.

Another great title by these authors. i loved the banter between Aurora and Jackson. Lots of romance, a bit of miscommunication and a road trip of suspense made this the perfect summer read. Aurora made the story for me. Loved her personality and her outlook on life. Happy to read this one.

This is a tale of sizzling chemistry between two protagonists who are simply chalk and cheese – different upbringing, different values, different attitudes, different outlooks.…

Plus, there is lots of action, both the storyline and characters compete for centre-stage. In my humble opinion, one or the other is left behind a time or two. Also, I found some bits missing for example, the reactions of Aurora and Jackson on seeing each other in the office, Jackson’s mental upheavals with Aurora’s presence, Jackson’s monologue on realising his love for Aurora. All well within author’s reach given her skills. These lost opportunities pull this book to a 4. Was worth borrowing as I missed downloading :-(

All said, romance readers can revel in this Happily Ever After story.

This story is a romance about a girl Aurora who has a one-night stand with Jackson; only to meet him the next day at her new job as her boss. Aurora wants to be a researcher and takes a temp job to get her in the door in Jackson’s security business. This book was a combination of long sighing looks, romance, miscommunication to some degree. Jackson has a closed heart – not looking for love or relationship guy and avoids Aurora. Aurora does her job but doesn’t “stay in her lane” with her job. She is attempting to prove her worth but instead causes confusion and a conflicted working relationship. An opportunity comes up and she is teamed with Jackson. It is during their time and “assignment” that I felt Aurora “needed to look at the big picture.” There were a few items that made me think about the story –why Jackson didn’t catch some things as a professional security consultant. I like HEA’s and this book provided it with suspense and action. Overall; I did enjoy this book and will read this author again. I would recommend this book a quick read which will keep you entertained. It is a good summer beach book or rainy day book on the couch. I would give this 3.5 if there was a star between 3 and 4.
****I received an ARC of this book***

Protecting His New Family by Katie Knight and Leslie North

Owen’s brother and his wife were killed in a car accident leaving a young son. He is made a joint guardian of the child with her sister Sam. Owen who is a Navy SEAL resigns to look after their son whilst Sam is a scientist researching the final stages of a new vaccine.

This story is a little slower to get into than usual books and the storyline a bit lacking between the characters relationships by Katie and Leslie.

I found this book a little disappointing.

Aurora meets and hooks up with a Captain Sexy to celebrate getting a new job… no real names and no information. The surprise comes on her first day at work when she meets her new boss. You guessed it Captain Sexy! Both pretend like they’ve never met or know each other.
The story gets interesting when they are forced together on a case that involves them caring for a baby and getting to know each other.
It was a great easy read with great characters. I found I wanted to visit the commune to find the peace that Carter described.

It always surprises me how sweet the people are who think they would make poor parents or spouses. They think about it so deeply, that's what would make them great at it. Also I appreciated how that showed the commune that Aurora grew up in in a good light. So often they are portrayed as cult driven where most are not.

I received a copy of Protecting His Pretend Family by Katie Knight and Leslie North from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This novel was a quick read with a fast moving plot and lots of action. Sometimes the character development was left behind in the face of action rather than evenly paced. When that happened, those character epiphanies to grow were left behind a bit and when those leaps happened, it seemed a little disjointed.

But, the main characters’ chemistry was present from their first encounter and the steamy scenes were hot between would-be researcher Aurora Sunshine and Navy SEAL turned security expert Jackson Sheppard. That made for a fun lazy summer day read.

As per usual, another brilliant read by Leslie north. I have to admit I wasn't as hooked with this book as I usually am by books from this author. However, it was still a nice short and sweet read.

When I think of romance, I think of books just like this one, that gives all the feels and satisfies every romance junkies' heart. This is a perfect books to snuggle up with on any day.

Aurora and Jackson have a one night stand, and it’s beyond awkward when she turns up at her new job, and he is her boss, they decide not to mention it but when they have to go on the run with a young baby in tow, it’s not all that easy. Great interaction between Aurora and Jackson., and I am glad there was a HEA at the end.

Protecting His Pretend Family by Katie Knight
Publisher: Relay Publishing
Genre: General Fiction (Adult) | Romance
Publication Date: July 8, 2021

Protecting His Pretend Family by Katie Knight is a standalone romance featuring a former Navy SEAL and a free-spirited woman.

The romance is steamy and the chemistry is intense. The story line is fast paced and exciting! I could not put this book down! I loved the characters and thought they were well developed.

I look forward to reading more by the author!

I'm so grateful to Katie Knight, Relay Publishing, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review.

Protecting His Pretend Family was a sweet, suspenseful story. The book starts off with a bang (no pun intended). I love Aurora (her backstory, her caregiver instinct, and her trustfulness). Jackson definitely grew on me throughout the book. I do wish we got the scene where they realize they actually know each other. I love reading those awkward, oh no scenes!