Protecting You

The Bailey Brothers, Book 1

By: Claire Kingsley

Narrated by: Aaron Shedlock, Samantha Cooke

Length: 4 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's Summary

One night brings them together. Another night tears them apart.

Grace Miles misses her easy friendship with Asher, but growing up means growing apart. And really, how could he fall for her when they spent their childhood getting muddy in the creek and splitting sticks of gum?

But this summer, something feels different. If Grace didn’t know better, she’d think Asher was flirting with her. Those dark eyes, hard body, and wicked smile make her insides swirl and her heart dare to hope for things she’s convinced herself she’ll never have.

Falling for your best friend shouldn’t be complicated, but for Asher Bailey, loving Grace is anything but simple. The road to romance isn’t smooth thanks to his pack of wild brothers who are protective of the girl next door, a take-no-sass grandmother, a small town where gossip is a spectator sport, and a feud that spans generations.

But Asher realizes his feelings are too big to ignore. Loving her isn’t the risk. Losing her would be.

And one night, one kiss, changes everything.

Finally admitting their feelings is the beginning of their happily ever after. Until their fairy tale love story is tragically interrupted, and neither of them will ever be the same.

Author’s note: Lifelong soulmates, ridiculous pranks, brother shenanigans, and a feuding town. Protecting You is the Bailey Brothers series origin story. Be there when it begins and fall in love with this wild band of unruly brothers. The series is meant to be heard in order, and Grace and Asher’s story concludes in Fighting for Us.

©2020 Claire Kingsley (P)2020 Claire Kingsley

Great Start to the Series!

What a great start to the series! This origin story set the stage perfectly for what's to come and introduced readers to all the different characters that we will see along the way. This is a spin off from the Miles Family series and some of the events in Protecting You actually take place before that series. It's not necessary to read the Miles Family series before starting this one, but it will give more insight into the heroine of this book if you do. In addition to introducing this new world, Protecting You is also the start of Grace and Asher's story. Childhood friends to lovers is my catnip, so I was all in for these characters from the start. The book does end on a bit of a cliffhanger, but if you've read the Miles Family series, it won't be quite as big of a shock. Aaron Shedlock and Samantha Cooke did an amazing job narrating the story and gave really emotional performances. They matched the characters very well and their voices really complemented each other. I'm jumping right into the next book, Fighting For Us, and can't wait to see how Grace and Asher's story concludes. Overall 4 stars Performance 4.5 stars Story 4 stars

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

The narration is Perfect for this story! Aaron and Samantha do a fantastic job bringing this story to life! This is is allll the feels. Friends to lovers. Sweetness and sadness (not too much CK never lets us down!!!) Asher is everything a hero should be. Grace is a strong heroine you can’t wait to see how she grows! Add in 4 other wild Bailey Brothers, and awesome Gram, & small town quirky ness!!! Loved it times a thousand and back! #freeasherbailey

What a great way to start a series!

I read the kindle version before listening to the audio and I can say I love to hear the voices of the characters and the beginning of Asher and Graces story. Claire introduces us to the Baileys and how Asher and Grace gets together, and unfortunately, apart. The story is done with heart and humor, and also with sensitivity regarding to what Grace’s go through. Amazing work by Claire. And I can’t wait to listen to the next Bailey’s brothers books!

Great start to a new series!

I live for small-town family romances and Claire Kingsley has just blessed us with the Bailey Brothers! This is a heartwarming love story of longtime friends, Asher and Grace, that will leave you in tears as it ends in a tragedy that tears them apart. Aaron Shedlock and Samantha Cooke make this novella pack a punch and I just know this series will be gold. I’m already obsessed with the Bailey Brothers on audio! Claire has completely upped her game with this book, and it’s just the novella!!

Strong men and the strong women who love them

☑ Close-knit siblings ☑ Tight family bond ☑ Hot alpha heroes ☑ Strong women who love them ☑ Scorching hot sexy-time This series has all that and more! A spin-off of the wildly addictive Miles Family series, the Bailey Brothers series does not disappoint. The beginning of the series, Protecting You and Fighting for Us, is a two-part introducing to the Baileys, their unique hometown, the generations -long feud with another family, squirrels on secret missions, a hidden treasure, and the story of Asher Bailey and Grace Miles whose love endured through years of hardships. The third book stars Evan Bailey, the oldest and most enigmatic of the five brothers. Subsequent books will feature twins Logan and Levi, and the youngest brother, Gavin, who is a daredevil at heart. Each book (except for the two book series opener) focuses on one brother and the women who complete them and make them better men. The books in this series are meant to be read in order. The narrators for the first two books of the Bailey Brothers series were absolute perfection in their roles. Aaron Shedlock voiced a completely believable 11-year-old Asher's take on his relationship with Grace. Samantha Cooke was amazing in voicing the pivotal scene of this book - the confusion and fear experienced by Grace in this scene were palpable. I highly recommend this series!

Engrossing, gut wrenching listen.

I was not disappointed. The plot of this novel makes this a gut wrenching listen, and the narrators kept to their task bringing Asher, Grace and the entire Bailey clan to life. An engrossing, gut wrenching but thoroughly enjoyable listen.

Oh, so sweet!

Gah, I fell in love with Asher Bailey. It was so good to see his love with Grace develop. We know they have their own obstacles based on what we've learned in the Miles' series, but we had no idea. It is heartbreaking. You'll fall in love, you'll be happy, and then Claire will break you. But I know she'll make it better, it's just a matter of time. Grace and Asher are so sweet. I love them.

Heartbreakingly Good

Aaron and Samantha brought Grace and Asher to Life!!!!!!!!!! Loved it. This is the prequel of how things started with Asher and Grace Asher and Grace were neighbors, you see Gram and the other Bailey Brothers as well. This is the start of the love story between them. There was a plan a plan to buy the house on the corner a plan to get married but one night things all changed. What will happen next after he serves his time from protecting Grace? Cant wait for the next book! Must Listen

Good Storyline

Good storyline but had a slow start. By the time it started to pick up speed, book one ended. Narrators were very good; they suited their characters perfectly.

All Kinds of Small-Town Goodness

Protecting You is a kick-ass start to the Bailey Brothers series by one of my favorite authors. I read an early copy of the book back when it was first released back in May, and listening to the audio book was just as amazing as reading it the first time around. It is the origin story of Grace Miles and Asher Bailey -- and HOLY SMOKES, is it all kinds of small-town goodness. The light-bulb moment when Asher realizes that he's in love with Grace was one of my favorites; it's pure simplicity made it so beautiful. These two experience so many firsts together, and they so easily slip into a wonderful romance after being friends for so long. I have been a Claire Kingsley reader for a long time, so I was well-acquainted with Grace Miles thanks to the Miles Family series. I already knew the basics of Grace's relationship with Asher. But reading how they were best friends as kids, fell in love as young adults and then were ripped apart in a tragic moment where he was protecting her was nothing I was prepared for. Everything about these two was just pure and sweet. They have such a deep, soul-crushing love. So when tragedy strikes and Asher turns his back on Grace — to protect himself as much as her — it was just heartbreaking! Aaron Shedlock and Samantha Cooke PERFECTLY nail the Asher and Grace characters. The story in Protecting You spans several years, and the actors get every nuance of that innocent best-friends relationship, seeing more in the other for the first time, falling in love and then being ripped apart. #FreeAsherBailey

absolutely fabulous

5* Asher and Grace were best friends as kids until they grew up. When Grace returns from college for the summer break Asher realises his feelings for her. Will Grace give him her summer? I was desperate for the new series Claire was starting after reading the miles family series (definitely recommend reading them) and this Audio book definitely didn't disappoint. I was hooked from the start to end and the narrators were amazing.