Protector is the 4th installment in the "Galactic Gladiators" series. I absolutely adored this one here, it was just so wonderful and seeing these two come together was endearing. The more I read of this series, the more I end up falling in love with it if I am being honest. I am really liking what Anna Hackett delivers on this one. We get some real emotion on the trauma of the women being taken from their home. Our heroine, Madeline, left behind a son. So you really feel for her and her grief knowing she will never see him again. Then we have our hero, who is one of the gladiators "Lore" but also have some mysterious abilities. He is inherently protective and wants to be a protector for Madeline. But Madeline is determined to find her friend who is being forced to fight into "to the death" bloody fights that are underground. As Madeline and Lore search for these fights to rescue him, they will come across a underhanded plot in the world they now live in and will have to work together to survive...

This book was just so action packed and had me at the edge of my seat! I just fell so hard for Lore and Madeline so quickly. I did think Madeline was a bit "blind" to the dangers and Lore had to get her out of it haha and then she complains about being a damsel in distress, well if a heroine makes not the smartest decisions, you might need a brawny fighter to save your life lol But what I love about Anna Hackett, is even when a character makes some reckless decisions, she makes it feel relatable and you can so easily connect with the characters. She really fleshes them out and they become so endearing. The romance between these two is pretty superbly written and I easily got behind them as a pair. Definitely eager to continue with the series.

I was worried about this book cos I LURVE this series but Madeline has not exactly been the easiest character to like so far! But I have thawed towards her now that I know what made her the icy britches she portrays herself to be. It was nice to have an older heroine and not another twentysomething. Lore is just heart stoppingly charming. He is Alpha but with a real knowledge of how woman tick - which he uses to his advantage! Add in a hunt for the illegal fighting pits and the search for further human slaves and this book is a corker! Lore really had to work for Madeline and he knows that it is long term endeavour to ease her heartache but he is just the man for the job. I can't wait to see who the Gladiators universe expands and now that there are further characters added to those already established I can see this series continuing for sometime - yay!!! I have voluntarily read this book and this review is my honest opinion