Reviewed by Kat

TITLE: Red Haze

SERIES: Caffeine  Daydreams (Book 3)

AUTHOR: Lark Taylor

PUBLISHER: Lark Taylor Publisher

LENGTH: 304 pages

RELEASE DATE: March 21, 2024

BLURB:

Everyone knows it’s a bad idea to crush on a straight guy. But when that man is also your bodyguard?
It’s just asking for trouble.

Arlo

Our rise to stardom might’ve helped me escape from the chaos that was my childhood, but that didn’t mean it was easy for me. Now, with fame and an almost unlimited bank account, you’d think I’d be happy. But I’m not. There’s no escaping the depression that dogs me or my past that refuses to leave me alone, no matter what I try. There’s no-one to stop the self-destructive spiral I’m caught in.

No-one, that is, until Jack.

As soon as the stoic man who looks like he could crush me under his thumb is assigned to me, I know I’m in trouble. Not only is he every one of my wet dreams brought to life, but he’s straight. Oh, and tasked with keeping me out of mischief.

What I wasn’t expecting was the friendship that followed. The way we would come to depend on one another.

When it’s all ripped away, can I find a way to exist without Jack at my side? Or am I destined to love someone I can never have?

Jack 

After leaving the SAS, going into personal security seemed like the next logical step. Having been briefed on my client, the drummer for the rock band Caffeine Daydreams, I believed I’d be guarding some spoiled kid with more money than sense.

But as I get to know Arlo, I realise nothing could be further from the truth.

With the line between professional and personal blurring, Arlo quickly becomes the most important person in my life. When I have to decide between keeping him in my life or protecting him, I choose the latter.

I will always protect Arlo.

What I didn’t know was that the price I’d pay would cut me far deeper than I’d thought possible. Can I persuade Arlo to give me another chance? Or will I have to resign myself to just seeing him on my screen?

Red Haze is a demi-awakening, bodyguard x rockstar MM romance. The final book in the Caffeine Daydreams series, each book follows a different couple as they find their HEA. Although better read in order, these books can standalone.

REVIEW:

I am a huge fan of this series and have been patiently awaiting sweet Arlo and his bodyguard Jack’s story. What a whopper this one was! Just Wow!!!

Arlo has done everything in his power to escape the brutal life he had growing up dirt poor in a council estate. That moment, on that college open day he thought was a waste of his time, changed his life forever. He not only had a huge and very successful career open up for him but it introduced him to his three best friends. Friends that would do anything for him if he would just open up to them and communicate his needs and difficulties. But Jack has always been there for him and read him perfectly. And that worked for years after his first floundering and his babysitter/bodyguard was assigned to him. Theirs became a deep friendship. But that was all shot to smithereens when their disgusting manager Kevin found them together in the compromising situation. Now blackmail separated them and Jack saw no way to fix it. But that doesn’t mean he’s not watching Arlo. And now he’s come to the conclusion he’s broken too!

This was a very powerful and moving story, not to say the other band members stories weren’t also. It’s just that this one really grabbed my heartstrings and held on tight. I don’t think anyone could be unaffected by Arlo’s struggles. Depression is a powerful and debilitating beast. It grabs hold and you are powerless to fight it alone. Thankfully Jack recognized it fairly quickly and was Arlo’s constant companion through it all. That is until Kevin wielded his evil. And I thought that man was bad before but he was beyond sinister. Money wasn’t enough. He manipulated poor Jack and that directly affected Arlo. But Jack will always do everything for Arlo even if he doesn’t realize it. Jack’s self discovery was eye opening too. Thank you Will for seeing the truth and helping Jack understand himself.

**Pouting**…I’m just not ready to say goodbye to my Caffeine Daydreams rockstars and their love of their lives. I’m attached to them now. They have become real to me. I can’t just let them disappear either. Phoenix Securities are going to help out Tristan Wells at Kai’s request. I have known something was up with him since Green Light and have been patiently waiting for this story. Plus I need to know if Arlo and Jack continue thoughts on their future. I would assume (although I hate to do that ever) that we would see Jack and the others if we get a Phoenix Security spin-off from this series. I mean, we did meet all of Jack’s buddies/team here already so it seems like the most natural segue into the hopefully accompanying series. Then I might get to glance into the guys lives once in awhile too 🤞

Fantastic conclusion to an amazing series! Can’t wait to read more from this talented author.

RATING:

BUY LINK:

Amazon