Reviewed by Valerie and Anna Lynn
TITLE: Imposing Saint
SERIES: All Saints Security #3
AUTHOR: Jess Bryant
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
LENGTH: 212 pages
RELEASE DATE: August 26, 2021
BLURB:
Aaron Laughlin is young, rich, and a star among the Nashville political elite. That’s why nobody is more surprised than him when he ends up abandoned at the altar. But here he is, dumped on the most important day of his life, embarrassed in front of his entire city, and left with a bruised ego in place of a broken heart.
Needing time away to regroup after the fiasco that could very well derail his career, he decides to head to the mountains and enjoy his honeymoon on his own. Only, he isn’t alone. His imposing new bodyguard refuses to let Aaron out of his sight, or his reach, and the way his dark eyes follow Aaron’s every move gets under his skin in a way he can’t shake, and isn’t sure he wants to.
Isaac Chinn is practical, professional and takes pride in being good at his job. He’s never even considered breaching the client/bodyguard boundary, which is why being stuck on the side of a mountain with the gorgeous jilted groom that isn’t quite as straight as he’d like people to think, is such an imposition. The mayor might annoy and intrigue him in equal measure but Isaac knows better than to cross the line.
Only, the heat that flares between them refuses to be ignored. They’re like gasoline and a match, destined to consume each other if they get too close. But when faced with the cold of loneliness, is it worth the risk to feel the heat of passion, even if it might destroy them both?
*Please note this is a full length M/M romance novel. While it is the third installment of the All Saints Security Series it can be read as a standalone and you do not need to have read the previous books in the series to enjoy Aaron and Isaac’s story. However, Aaron does play an important role in book two so if you’d like to know more of his backstory before jumping into this one you can read Impulsive Saint which is a MF romance featuring Tyler St. James and Ashtyn Echols, the bride who leaves Aaron at the altar and sets this book in motion.*
VALERIE’S REVIEW:
Imposing Saint is the lone MM romance in the All Saints Security series. It follows fairly standard, yet very enjoyable, bodyguard and forbidden love formulas. Aaron and Isaac are endearing characters you’ll find yourself quickly rooting for.
It was to be the wedding of the ages in Nashville: Aaron Laughlin, the city’s charismatic, young mayor is betrothed to the beautiful daughter of his mentor, a U.S. Senator. He doesn’t quite admit to himself that it’s more of a business arrangement, just a step in his career toward a national political position. His fiancée knows it doesn’t feel right, though, and soon Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome becomes Mr. Tall, Dark, and Jilted at the Altar. To avoid the media scrutiny, he escapes to his cabin in Colorado with his sexy bodyguard, Isaac, in tow.
Aaron is a closeted bisexual man who works hard to maintain his game face. He has denied himself a life as his true self because it conflicts with his political aspirations. No one knows the real Aaron, only the public persona he projects. After a heated kiss with Isaac at the cabin, his secret is out and Aaron wants a fling, a chance to secretly sow his bisexual oats. Isaac, the bodyguard, is reserved and detached when working. While on Aaron’s detail, he’s intrigued by the mayor and soon realizes he’s got a little crush on him. But Isaac lives his life by two important rules: professionally, he never becomes involved with a client, and personally, he never gets involved with a closeted man. Well, those boundaries get tossed out the window in a hurry.
I wasn’t far into the book before I wondered how the story was going to resolve itself: even though his feelings for Aaron are strong, Isaac won’t go back in the closet for anyone. Aaron wants a high-profile political career – perhaps even POTUS – but how can he achieve that with Isaac unless the story ends in Fantasyland? Or did real life Mayor Pete chart the course for this to be a more viable possibility?
Well, Imposing Saint does resolve in a very satisfying manner and the epilogue – seven years in the future Yay! – is fantastic. I happily recommend this well-written book.
As a side note, with regards to the author’s note at the bottom of the blurb above, I did not read book two since I don’t read any MF. I was concerned that not having Aaron’s backstory would bother me. In reality, books two and three overlap and I didn’t feel I was lacking any important knowledge.
VALERIE’S RATING: 
ANNA LYNN’S REVIEW:
I have always loved a good love story, and I realized along the way that I am a sucker for angst. I thought I would shy away from it, but no, I get into it, but there is a limit though. When I read the blurb of this love story, I was immediately interested because the trope is one that I love, bodyguard and his protectee, add to that the fact that the protectee is in the closet because of his position in society, so you know that there’ll be angst.
Isaac came out when he was young and he has always been comfortable with who he is. When he got assigned to protect the mayor of Nashville in preparation for his wedding to a Senator’s daughter, he never expected to be caught up in the drama, and he never thought that he’ll get the chance to get to know the mayor more than what he reads from articles and the news. And did I say that he has a huge crush on the mayor way before he met him in person.
Aaron Laughlin always wanted to go into politics. He dreamt of it and is now living it. But still he dreams some more. Marrying a Senator’s daughter will make all his other dreams come true. A perfect married life with a beautiful, smart woman. A life he has dreamed of. But life rarely makes it perfect. He ended up with no bride on his wedding day, and escaped to his honeymoon all on his own. Well except for his bodyguard who won’t leave him alone.
But the mayor has kept a secret really close to his heart. He is bisexual but he knows that not everyone will accept that especially for someone who occupies a public office. So he has hidden that part of him ever since. But being cooped up with his bodyguard in a mountain cabin, far away from the public eye, he can’t help but wish that he could live his truth and still retain his position in society.
This love story has all the makings of an amazing love story and I really love it! The author did amazingly in telling Aaron and Isaac’s story. I love the friendship, how they became lovers and eventually the realization of what is important in life.
ANNA LYNN’S RATING: 
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