Protecting You

Chikalu Falls, Book 3

By: Lena Hendrix

Narrated by: Stephen Dexter, Charlotte North

One moment of hesitation and I lost Maggie forever.

Since then, we’ve spent the last fifteen years in this small town, circling each other and pretending neither remembers how right it felt when we were best friends.

Now she’s a single mom and she doesn’t need a “broody, grumpy cop” like me complicating her life. No matter how many times her heated gaze scorches my skin, I can never have her in the way I want.

Completely.

So I push her away—but it’s for her own good.

Because if she knew the truth of what I did, she wouldn’t just have hurt feelings––she would truly hate me.

She has a guarded heart, and it’s all my fault.

But I don’t have a heart at all. I gave it to Maggie O’Brien a long time ago.

Protecting You is a seriously steamy, interconnected stand alone small town romance. It's the third book in the Chikalu Falls series set in the fictional Montana town, Chikalu Falls.

©2021 Lena Hendrix (P)2023 Lena Hendrix

Great Romance!

Ms. Hendrix has become one of my most favorite authors! Great character development and just enough “spice”. The “spice” did not overtake the story line and her reference to character references from previous novels were well done.

Even though I have listen to the previous 2 books prior to Protecting, I would not feel I missed something by starting with Protecting (Book 3).

Great Summer listen! Very much enjoyed!

flashbacks?

i loved this series and this book was amazing. I loved the mix of angst and spice. my only thing was all the flash backs were not my favorite I feel like the past events could of been told in a less confusing way.
the narrators did a fabulous job.
spice 4/5 🌶 🌶

Cole & Maggie Finally Get It Right

Cole Decker missed his chance to get the girl in high school. He and Maggie were the best of friends, and they were both hiding much deeper feelings. But he didn't take a chance, and he lost her for years as a result. He spent those years trying to keep her at arm's length and then some, at the cost of maintaining any sort of friendship.

Maggie got pregnant at 17, but David (and his family) refused to step up. So she's been raising her daughter on her own for the last 14 years. David had substance abuse issues and died while driving under the influence. This is one of the things Cole has been hiding guilt about, as he feels he was responsible.

It's a struggle for them to get beyond the past and admit their feelings. Maggie had to become strong and independent with little outside help, and Cole wants to be the caretaker, and that's part of the struggle. When Cole finally admits why he feels guilty, Maggie still doesn't understand why he took that on and let it keep them apart.

I would have loved a bonus epilogue on this one. I love how he took on Lottie like she was his own, but I always like to see babies :)

Sweet Scale: 4/5
Spicy Scale: 3.5/5

loved it

Nice book! I really enjoyed the book and the narrators did a great job.

Charlotte North is a terrible narrator

hard to get past such an awful narrator. ruins the characterization and story. no emotion or logic to her tambor.