Really good story. This book is centered around a later in life love between the chief of police Eve and a cop hating librarian named Shaye. There's a lot happening in this book and it kept me on my toes. There's arson, exes, and dealings with relatives, but overall this story focuses on their growing attraction to each other that finally moves into love after working through a lot of things together. I really enjoyed this story and the addition of the McGruff the dog. I would would definitely recommend this book to my friends and family and I look forward to what's next from this author.

Immediately I can see the scenes. I can envisage the characters and their character.
There are a few sections where information is repeated. At first I thought it was a formatting error, then I realised it wasn't exactly the same. I'm not sure if the repeating is part of the authors style or just missed.
16% in and my jaw literally dropped at a plot twist I didn't see coming!
I was compelled to keep reading with every plot reveal. One just after 70% went in to the raised eyebrow, really co-incidental, category. Not sure I was a fan, but the writer naturally used it to build potential break up tension.
I enjoyed the book and the way everything was tied up. The epilogue was unusual in that it was a reprise of the storyline although it did give an update on the main characters. 3.5 up to a 4 because it held my attention more than some recent books and that should be recognised.

I’m enjoying more and more books where romance isn't the sole focus. This book centers around an arson investigation, which kept me on my toes, while still balancing the romance well. I liked the evolution of Shaye and Eve’s relationship, with no unnecessary drama between them, but still plenty of drama around them. Seeing them work through their personal issues was satisfying. I liked the initial banter and flirting between Eve and Shaye, but sometimes it felt a bit too much and even cringe-worthy for me.

In my head, when a story moves forward, I picture the characters rowing through more or less troubled water. Unfortunately, the writing style didn’t quite work for me—it was a bit too repetitive at times and made me feel like the characters were rowing through mud instead. I know it sounds silly, but it just didn’t feel fluid enough.

Despite all this, the story kept me engaged, though my heart wasn’t completely captivated.

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

Eve is the chief of police in Paradise Pines it’s a job that’s she loves and good at it. Eve is investigating a series of fires and is getting nowhere as the mayor breaths down her neck to solve it. Eve worries she going to lose her job when her ex Paulina decides to run for mayor as she meets a stranger and share an amazing kiss. Shaye returns to town to heal from old wounds and reconnect with her mother she shares a kiss with a stranger and laters finds out the woman she kiss is a police officer and she doesn’t really care for them and you’ll find out why as you read. Shaye witness something she shouldn’t have and needs protection as she and Eve grow closer they found out they are connected by the past. This was a good read it’s more about the romance then the mystery but I say it’s balanced it out.

Not the first time I’ve read a book by Ms. Underwood and it certainly won’t be the last. Ms Underwood knows how to write a book that you will have a hard time putting down.
Shaye Hayden was hired to oversee the collection of books that survived a fire in the small town library. Some in the town think it was deliberate, something to do with the mayoral race in Paradise Pines, perhaps?
Shaye’s is home in Paradise Pines for the first time in twenty years. Her childhood wasn’t all that great. Now she is back and her old friends are happy to see her while others, not so much. Shaye had been married to a cop, a very unhappy marriage seeing as her ex liked to pretend she wasn’t. She’s had enough with any one wearing the uniform. Just her luck she’d have to work out of the police station where she’ll meet the Chief of Police, Eve Maguires. Hard to ignore when it was just two days since she’s had her tongue in the good Chief’s mouth.
Eve Maguire has served as Chief since the retirement of the previous Chief. She liked her job, liked the people and now she hopes that her ex, Pauline won’t win the race for Mayor. She’s already told Eve she’d be fired on her first day in office. Now here she is dealing with the mayor who had her job in his hand, and another running for mayor who has stated her job will go should she win.
Great writing make this another winner for Ms. Underwood and most importantly it's great ( there has to be a better word than ‘great’ but it’s morning and I can’t think too hard, it hurts) read for all her fans. Interesting plot filled with great leading ladies along with a great supporting cast. Fast paced with lots of humor thrown in. Very, very nice read.
ARC via NetGalley/ Bold Stroke Books

Protection in Paradise by Julia Underwood, this was the first book I have read by this author. I found it to be a entertaining read, and had an interesting story line. Eve is the police chief, and Shaye is the new librarian whom happen to meet up the weekend before in a bar three hours from Paradise. They certainly have chemistry between them, but both carry a lot of baggage from past relationships. I would recommend this book to others.

I received and ARC from NetGalley and Bold Stroke Books, and I am leaving my review voluntarily.

Protection in Paradise is the first book from Julia Underwood that I have read, and I absolutely loved it. I’ve always enjoyed a good police procedural, but this one came with a good dose of all the feels including a large amount of laughing out loud. The author manages to weave an intricate web of mystery, drama, emotion and humour that draws the reader in from the very first paragraph.

In this beautiful story we meet two broken MC’s, Eve Maguire, Chief of Police in Paradise Pines and Shae Hayden who has returned to Paradise Pines to make peace with her painful past, which includes the death of her father at the hands of a rookie cop. After a painful separation from her cheating ex, Eve is determined that she is never again going to repeat of mistakes of being drawn in by a gifted flirt. Meanwhile, Shae cannot stand cops and there is no way she’s going to trust Eve, despite the undeniable chemistry that was immediately evident during their first meeting as anonymous strangers in a bar.

The question is whether they can overcome their respective emotional baggage and preconceived notions to stumble, bumble, fumble and even blunder their way towards a happy ever after despite the many hurdles that will be thrown in their path. However, with the love and support of their friends and family, including a precocious but wise-beyond-her-years 11 year old girl and a grumpy, growly, ugly dog, and a significant dose of witty banter gradually draws the two MCs together. The question is whether their fledgling connection will survive the turmoil that will be thrown up through the investigation into the series of arson attacks in town and the political machinations emerging from the upcoming mayoral election.

Do yourself a favour and purchase a copy of this wonderful story. I will certainly be on the look out for more works from this author.

I am grateful to Julia Underwood, Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC copy of this book and am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is the first book I’ve read from Julia Underwood but I am sure it won’t be my last. Eve Maguire is chief of police in the small California town of Paradise Pines. She is currently investigating an arson case that burned the town library. Shaye Hayden is the new town librarian. Both women are in their 40s and have had sadness in their personal lives in the past. Shaye witnesses a second attempt at arson and when she is physically attacked Eve suggests she move in so she can offer some protection till the suspect is caught.

Eve and Shaye aren’t looking for love but the flirting and chemistry sparks are flying. I enjoyed the MCs and their ability to talk with each other. I think the author brought the limited side characters to life as well. Shaye’s best friend, mom and precocious niece enhance the story. And you gotta love McGruff, the ugly, elderly grumpy dog that both adore. As a librarian I was disappointed Shaye’s job is barely a part of the story, but I won’t knock down my rating for that. Eve’s job is more the focus in this enjoyable storyline. This is not an investigative police novel but the case does get solved.

This is an easy book to recommend. I did feel the book felt longer than it actually is. And there is some repetition in always sharing with the reader what the main characters are thinking and how they are processing their emotions. But I enjoyed the story and will look forward to future books from Underwood.

Pleasant surprise. This is my first time reading from this author and I am a new fan. Eve and Shaye are women in their forties who meet at a bar and the chemistry is instant. After the encounter neither expects to see the other again, but they have a run in at Eve’s job. Eve is the Chief of Police of Paradise. Shaye returns to Paradise — after many years of being away — to care for her mother and for a job as a librarian.

Eve does not trust easily after her last long term relationship, and Shaye does not like cops. In Paradise there has been recent arson activity that is being investigated and the culprit reveal was unexpected. I believed I solved it within a few chapters, but that was not the case (pun intended). There are plot twists which kept me engaged the entire time I was reading it, and I loved the funny and flirtatious banter that was there from beginning to end. One of the things I really liked about this book was the maturity of the protagonists and how well they communicated with each other. Eve and Shaye got along like a house on fire (pun intended). All in all, it was a really good read and I finished it in a day. I definitely recommend this as a must read.

I’d like to thank NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for giving me an ARC copy.

An amazing read with fully developed characters that have great chemistry that was believable. I enjoyed going on the journey with them. This includes the beautiful dog of course. Nonethe less I loved the authors writing style and look forward to read more books in the future. Well done..

Thank You Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley.

Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for allowing me to read and review this book.

I very much enjoyed this book. The writing was great and the characters were well developed. I hope to read more from this author in the future.

Eve Maguire is a cop in Paradise Pines, California, and has her hands full with an arsonist on the loose prior to the mayor’s race. After her cheating ex, Pauline, left her heart in tatters a few years ago, Eve has no room for another relationship. However, following a visit to her Aunt near San Francisco, Eve stops by a bar on her way home and is instantly drawn to a stranger as they flirt and experience some serious chemistry.

Shaye Hayden is a librarian who has returned home to Paradise Pines after about twenty years to face her past and also to help her aging mother. Priot to arriving back in town Shaye kissed a stranger outside a bar near San Francisco and is now surprised to see said stranger in Paradise Pines.

The book was an interesting read about family pasts, emotional trauma, and trying to set those things aside after many years. I do think that some parts of the narrative were repeated several times over and over which became tedious. However, I did enjoy the inclusion of crime dog McGruff into the story and the healing of lives theme. The whodunnit arson story also made sense given the background information presented. 3.5 stars

I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

It's mayoral election time in Paradise. Someone is setting fires to send a message, but who is it?
There are 3 candidates - the current mayor, a newbie and Pauline who happens to be Eve's ex.

Who is Eve? Just the Chief of Police tasked with solving the arson case! And if Pauline is elected she's going to sack Eve.

As luck would have it Eve has met the new librarian Shaye. Shaye has just returned to town to try and put her past behind her so she can move on. They have chemistry but Shaye is extremely anti cop (she has her reasons).
They both have a whole set of baggage to contend with but they are trying to see if they can make it.

It is an interesting read - you delve into their respective emotional baggage and how that is affecting the decisions they are making while trying to solve the case, move on in life and keep safe.

There is of course an epilogue set 2 years after the main story shows them getting on with life in town.

This is a story where there were so many things that could go wrong for them as their stories became entwined. When you look at the incidence of tragic backstories it makes you wonder of having your parents die in an accident during childhood isn't part of the 'diagnostic criteria' for fictional lesbians.
I enjoyed this and certainly recommend it.

This was a nice read. The author described the characters well, and the chemistry between the two MC’s was believable and sexy. There was some soft spice, and the McGruff addition was wonderful. I look forward to reading more from this author.

A romantic story about two women who must overcome their fears and prejudices to find true love.
Eve is the town's Chief of police and was burned by her Ex, who is running for mayor in her town.
That's not the only problem burning in her world.
There's a lot of arson going on and the current mayor is pressuring her to find the arsonist.
Shaye is back in town, hates police officers and needs a fresh start.
But before that, both have a spontaneous and unexpected hot encounter.
Both are strangers to each other at this point.
That will change quickly...but the drama unfolds and is inevitable.
The topic of arson is of course the focus, as is the election and the Ex! That was a bit too much for me personally.

You can't get enough of McGruff! I love this little howler!
Both MCs were sweet, likable and rightly cautious.
No wonder given their experiences and past.
Otherwise, it was an easy-to-read story with a lot of heart and sweet moments!
Thanks very much to Bold Strokes Books and the Author for the ARC!

I really enjoyed this ~ great characters, good storytelling, and a dog. What more do you need?

Eve is the Chief of Police in Paradise and has several problems ~ including a nasty ex-girlfriend. Shaye moves to Paradise to become the new Librarian and reconnect with her mother. Eve resents Shaye taking up valuable space in her small police station and Shaye hates cops…

Add in McGruff the ugliest dog in the world who somehow contrives to have Eve have an incredible kiss in a car park with a stranger…

There’s a lot going on in the plotting and Ms Underwood handles it very well. Might be a little heavy on the cliche tropes but I didn’t care as this is an entertaining, light hearted read. I’ll certainly check out others by this author.

I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley

I enjoyed to read this book about later in life love between the chief of police Eve and the cop hating librarian Shaye. A lot of things happening with the arsons, exes and relatives but overall the focus is on their growing attraction that finally moves to love after working through a lot of things together. I absolutely adored the addition of the dog McGruff. I think the book was a bit on the long side with the plot it had but overall a book I can recommend.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

eve was chief of police of paradise
shaye was returning to paradise to take over as librarian and to sort out family history

neither was looking but they both were at the same bar on the same night where they shared a kiss.... a kiss neither could forget....

shaye didnt want anything to do with police and here was the woman who she shared an amazing kiss with and not only that she was chief of police it was not good

but with arson and an attack on shaye there was nothing for it but for shaye to move in with eve until the investigation was over and an arrest could be made...

it was an entertaining read that kept you glued right to the end... never saw the perp being who it was either...

looking forward to the next book by this author

Chief of police Shaye has a lot to be concerned about including losing her job if her ex becomes the new mayor. But there’s also an arsonist, a dog that was dumped and potential new girlfriend. How is she going to squeeze it all in.
Eve is now the town librarian and thanks to the arsonist the make shift library is now located inside the police station. Very near to the woman she kissed at a bar.
Things are complicated and steamy along with a dose of pure laughs from McGruff “Mac” Maguire Shaye’s new police canine who loves to intimidate with his growling.

This is an enjoyable read that I recommend.