Loreth Anne White

"You're not just a job anymore." It was supposed to be a 72-hour mission, in and out, until Brandt Stryker got stranded in the arid African plains with predators before him, a killer at his heels and an exotic princess by his side. Dalilah Al Arif stirs his blood, makes him crave things he'd lost long ago—but she is off-limits, promised to a sheik. Dalilah's wedding contract stipulates she must wed before her 30th birthday—just months away. It's a duty she accepts. But in the arms of her handsome protector, she's torn between her sense of duty and honor, and her freedom. And as the terrorists close in, she fears the most dangerous creature in the savannah is Brandt himself….

Guarding the Princess

Angela Guilherme

*I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Brandt was retired, but he accepted one last job to pay a favor: protect princess Dalilah from the man who wants to kill her. Only Brandt didn't get to her on time and ended up having to “kidnapp” her in order to save her. And they're both on the run for their lives, with no one else to help them.

Dalilah was, in a way, at peace with her destiny. Promised to a sheik, she knows she'll have to give up her carreer and the life she's built in the name of duty. But now her life is in danger and the only person who can help her is a condescending brute. Who also happens to be very manly and atractive. And he awakens feelings in Dalilah no man had ever done. And he makes her question her future.

What began as an easy and quick assignment ends up becoming the biggest challenge of Brandt's life. Because Dalilah doesn't fit his stereotype of a princess. She's strong, determinate, brave and independent. And absurdly beautiful and atractive.

Brandt can't afford to lose his focus on the mission, at the risk of failing and being unable to protect Dalilah, but the more time he spends with her, the harder it gets to be professional. And Dalilah can't afford to fall in love, since she's engaged to be married.

It's a classic story of opposites atracting, a contemporary love story featuring an arranged marriage. Even though it's normal in this kind of stories, I thought love was too sudden between the characters. This is the fourth book in a series, and the previous books feature Dalilah's brothers (of which we have a very small glimpse) as protagonists. Even though it would have been interesting to know the background (particularly cause I got the feeling the villan has made an appearance before), the book can be read as a standalone. And speaking of the villan, although I appreciated the symbolism of his demise, it left me with a bittersweet feeling.

Guarding the Princess

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