Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Fall Guy
AUTHOR: Felice Stevens
NARRATOR: Kale Williams
PUBLISHER: Self-published
LENGTH: 7 hours and 58 minutes
RELEASE DATE: April 11, 2022
BLURB:
I hired him to protect my body, but who will protect my heart?
He’s a thief, a convicted felon. A cocky guy with tattoos and a smirk for days. He needs a bodyguard and I need a job, so here we are. And the more time I spend with Ronan Michaels, the more I realize maybe he isn’t the bad guy after all. But why do I feel like he’s hiding something or protecting someone? Or both?
My angel Gabriel has a devil on his shoulder. He’s not a sinner—but certainly no saint. He’s been lied to and abandoned. Hurt by people who should love him no matter what. Gabriel’s discovered my secrets, yet the more I push him away, the closer he stands by my side. And when his past crumbles, leaving him searching for answers, I’m right there for him, holding his hand. Holding him up. Because love is catching someone when they fall. And never letting go.
From Lambda Literary Award-winning author Felice Stevens, comes an irresistible bodyguard romance about two men busy fighting the demons of their past—and their attraction to each other.
REVIEW:
Ronan has been released on parole after six years of a ten year sentence. He is unfortunately then big news and very unpopular. He should expect this after the scheme came to light of embezzlement of trusts of widows, children and seniors. But the money was supposed to have been paid back from his personal funds while he was in prison. Did that actually happen? Hmmmm. Seems the person he entrusted to do that didn’t exactly follow through all the way and perhaps skimmed a bit? Reporters and those still angry at him getting out are hounding him. Stalking him at his apartment, recognizing him at restaurants, etc. His parole office doesn’t exactly seem sympathetic. Then there’s the fact that his only family skated off to Florida while he was gone and didn’t even bother to tell him.
One day Ronan is returning to his apartment and someone gets violent. Gabriel is an out of work bodyguard who rescues Ronan from the crowd and gets him up to his apartment. Ronan says he’s ok but Gabriel leaves his card. After another incident, Ronan calls in reinforcements in the person of Gabriel. After a few stumbles, Ronan hires Gabriel to be his live in bodyguard. And tries to get on with his life. But things keep coming up that throw him. And he’s obviously sad and angry and Gabriel can’t figure out why.
Meanwhile Gabriel is licking his own wounds. He’s had a less than satisfactory last job protecting an asshat senator and that’s absolutely blown up in his face. He’s dealing with the betrayal of the man he was involved with and he has major trust issues after being abandoned by his father when he was young. Luckily he has a kickas mother and she’s 100% on his side.
As they are together a lot both men realize their attraction. But getting involved with a client would be a bad idea. A really really bad idea. Ronan hasn’t exactly gotten the memo and after a particularly difficult day, things move in that direction. While Ronan juggles his community service at the children’s ward of a hospital and getting his life back, he really really wants Gabriel. Gabriel realizes there is a lot more to Ronan than what the public knows. He’s been through hell – a horrible car accident that caused terrible injuries as well as the loss of both his parents. He’s had terrible survivor’s guilt. And they there is the abandonment by his sister – his only living relative.
When things are finally starting to turn around for him a bit with his doing his best to make amends for what he did and Gabriel seeing the real him, they decide to try for a real relationship. But there are of course a few hurdles and it’s necessary for them to each deal with their pasts and their families. Thankfully there are some wonderful surprises in store for both of them and thing are looking up 😉
This book. GAH! I just wanted to squeeze Ronan and Gabriel. They have both been through so much! Gabriel has been abandoned and betrayed – more than once. So has Ronan, except he was manipulated into it 🙁 I really wanted to absolutely SLAP his family. I was thrilled when Gabriel’s support finally gave him the strength to stand up for himself and what he wanted. Yes, he was financially secure, but he’d been set adrift by what little family he had left. I was very very angry on his behalf so many times. Gabriel’s issues stem from his childhood. But Ronan’s support allow HIM to also reach out for what he wants – and that is answers and maybe he can get his family back anyway.
The theme of redemption runs through this story. Ronan was set up. He was naive and his emotions were manipulated by those who should have had his back. He was too goodhearted and let his sister run all over him. But when her husband ramped it up, Ronan is left with nothing. Gabriel has never felt like he must be enough or really deserving of love given his history. He’s always held himself back from trusting anyone because that path has always led to heartache. While he and Ronan do have some bumps, they deal with things with honesty and that goes a long way in cementing their relationship.
I adore Kale Williams as a narrator. His performance of this book was soooo good! I totally felt Ronan’s frustration and guilt and sadness. Gabriel’s reluctance to do what he really wanted was also clearly evident in this narration. Mr. Williams continues to be a fan favorite and this book is a prime example of why. He always raises the level of the material and this is no exception. Well done! Highly recommended.
RATING: 
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