Reviewed by Kat
TITLE: To Protect
SERIES: Carlisle K-9 (Book 1)
AUTHOR: Andrew Grey
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 220 pages
RELEASE DATE: January 6, 2026
BLURB:
Atlas De Vaus loves his job as a Carlisle K-9 officer. When his canine partner Evie senses a problem during a semitrailer traffic stop, a search of the truck reveals illegal immigrants being transported to New York. Local shelters can house the women while the case is processed, but they can’t accommodate the lone man. Unwilling to leave a vulnerable person alone at the mercy of the system, Atlas takes him in until a place can be found for him.
When Bazel Dadiani’s family and village discovered his secret, his only option was to leave his home country of Georgia. He’s used every cent he had to reach America, but he’s determined to get where he’s going, no matter how scared he is. He appreciates Atlas offering him a place to stay, but he’s forgotten how to trust anyone, much less a figure of authority like Atlas.
Slowly, Atlas and Evie—mostly Evie—begin to win him over, leaving Bazel even more confused by his developing feelings for Atlas. They circle each other, each reluctant to make the first move. Just when they might be on the same track and close to catching the traffickers, government red tape threatens to separate them forever.
REVIEW:
I have become a fan of all the Carlisle books. And this newest spin-off series definitely didn’t disappoint.
Atlas De Vaus really loves his job and he has the very best police partner backing him up. Evie is his K-9 partner and one of the best out there. They are a team. So when Evie alerts Atlas about something suspicion in the truck, that has been pulled over and they were brought in as back-up support, Atlas didn’t question her at all. What they found shocked the officers. Behind the false-front crates were people. Human trafficking was at play. The social worker was called but there was only places for the women so Atlas did something way out of character. He offered the young man a place to stay in his own home. But when feelings start rising both men are confused how to navigate through this without feeling like they are pushing the other into something they may not want.
This book kept me riveted and on the edge of my seat. My fear was real because this book was so well written. You felt the fear that both Atlas and Bazel felt. The fear of Bazel being re-captured by the traffickers. The fear that immigration would some how send Bazel back to his homeland and killed for who he loved. The fear that Bazel would leave once he could because Atlas was trying not to push him and Bazel was confused by that. The fear for Atlas and Evie out on duty. The fear for Atlas and his job when confronted about his personal life. All these fears rang true for me and kept me riveted to their story. I am hoping that in future books in this series they will finally marry. That is what I missed most.
I am looking forward to the next book in this new series and hope you are too!
RATING: 
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