*TRIGGER WARNING: Domestic abuse

Well, well seems like we’re back in Southern France, enjoying the ocean breeze, and romance is in the air, but this time with Andrea and Evan. If you’ve read, “Broken English”, which was the first book that centered on Xavier and Josie, you’ll remember Andrea was the chef steward aboard the yacht and Evan was Xavier’s trusted head of security/ bodyguard. In the last book, there were sprinkles of hints suggesting that there might be something brewing between Andrea and Evan, and now we finally get a chance to read their story! This had the bodyguard trope, summer vibes, little bit of danger, and of course finding love.

Based off the early interactions between Andrea and Evan, there was tension, secret crushes, and an obvious attraction between them. Evan being the alpha protective man wanted to ensure that Andrea was safe at all times, especially concerned over the possibility of being put in danger. Andrea wanted a fresh, new independent start, but with Evan there she felt like she couldn’t get away or ignore her long felt crush over him. In a way, with both Andrea and Evan trying to keep their mutual attraction from each other, it usually resulted in them pushing each other’s buttons. In addition, with Evan renting the room right next to where Andrea is renting for the summer, there was forced proximity and you know what that meant… MORE TIME SPENT TOGETHER WOO!

Throughout the story, there was that bit of element of danger that lurked behind the scenes of the story. With Andrea’s move to start a new job, a new life, she finally took the steps to divorce her estranged husband, Angus. Even in the previous book, it was hinted at that Andrea had left an abusive marriage, and with working for Xavier she had found the chance to get away from Angus as well as hide where he couldn’t find her. With the divorce going on, and Andre leaving Xavier’s work, she was leaving behind the safety of Evan’s bodyguard work… or so she thought. Evan being the protective man that he was, didn’t take any chances when it came to Andrea’s well being. Evan was always monitoring for potential threats such as, Angus, and with his whereabouts not being clear, Evan made sure he was close by to protect Andrea as he always had. There were moments even I was genuinely worried for Andrea, I couldn’t imagine the level of anxiety and fear she must have felt after what she went through at the hands of her husband. 

While this story covered the struggles that Andrea endured from her abusive marriage and the return of her ex-husband, it turned out there was more to Evan’s story I wasn’t expecting. Evan was the man I couldn’t get enough of, and while his tendency to protect Andrea sometimes overwhelmed her, he had good reasons for doing it aside from just caring deeply about her. Evan’s personal experience with knowing someone (*his mom) who got out of an abusive relationship was something that had always stayed with him, and from that he knew at least some first hand knowledge that when it comes to victims trying to leave their abuser, it isn’t an easy task. I thought the way that Evan opened up about his mom and what he experienced was a big sad, but to see him now as a strong man who was capable of so much more lent to his strength. 

Throughout the story, Evan and Andrea’s chemistry was not only filled with tension, but the desire that they wanted one another. For Andrea, she hadn’t been with anyone in many years, and for her to want to experience that again was part of the steps she wanted to gain in her new independence. Evan, bless his soul was holding back in wanting to go after Andrea for himself, but his sense of honor and protection over Andrea was often used as a way to distance himself for her. In a way, it seemed like Evan thought Andrea was better off without him, but then couldn’t stand the idea of another man being with Andrea. Though once Andrea and Evan started to voice their feelings and actually take action, things got steamy and deep. Evan may have been known as, “Safety Patrol” to Andrea, but OMG THE MAN WAS A DIRTY TALKER AND SO SEXY AND EXUDED ALPHA MALE ENERGY! YASS! Let’s just say, Andrea got over her fear of physical touch and throughly enjoyed her time with Evan (sigh) lucky. 

I wasn’t expecting the reveal towards the end that explained how Evan knew Angus as well as what he knew about Andrea. From the beginning, it was clear that Evan knew a lot about Andrea and her previous life when she was with Angus. Once it got to the point where Angus might have been around, it turned out things were revealed to Andrea that she didn’t know. With Evan coming clean about his own past and his connection to Angus and even having a hand in helping Andrea escape Angus was shocking. It was a bittersweet moment because, it illustrated the truth that Andrea didn’t know, but also brought back painful memories for her. All Evan wanted was to protect Andrea, and ensure she had a life of freedom. 

I absolutely fell in love with Andrea and Evan. The chemistry was passionate, romantic, filled with hot tension that made Andrea and Evan all the more crazed with desire for one another. This story dealt with domestic abuse which was heartbreaking to read about what Andrea endured, but she managed to find her way back to living a life she was happy with, and finally sealed the deal with Evan. Evan was the most protective, thoughtful, and selfish man ever, and for all the years he spent hiding his true feelings over Andrea, I was happy to see him finally getting his happy ending with her. The ending was filled with romance, passion, and that raw emotion that both Andrea and Evan felt. In addition, with the ending, came the perfect epilogue and bonus epilogue which gave me more happiness that I could have asked for. If you’ve read, “Broken French”, please make sure to read this book as well since not only will you get to see familiar characters such as, Xavier and Josie, but see the journey that Andrea and Evan went on in order to find their way to each other, and of course live happily ever after.