Unexpected: The Protectors, Book 10

Let’s start by saying I am a huge fan of Sloane Kennedy. Regardless of what she writes I have enjoyed and adored every single book. I generally do not like series that have more than a few books in them as they tend to be the same story, plot and characteristics with the names being changed but Kennedy is one of the few authors who gives each book a new, fresh feel, look and story. Not one couple/plot is the same. They are unique and diverse and that’s why I love reading her books. We might see the same characters pop up here and there but each book’s main focus is the MCs.Even though I love Kennedy’s books and also ménage stories I still get giddy and nervous starting a new ménage story because the connection HAS to be there from all 3 MCs, the story HAS to have more than sexy times, the feels and goosebumps HAVE to be there and JFC……KENNEDY NAILED IT. If you don’t fall in love with Everett, Nash and Gage than I’m not sure if there’s any hope for you….hahahahahahaha. Just kidding – You don’t have to like them but I hope you give them a try.The writing is incredible, the character development and multiple story lines help keep the flow of the book smooth and effortless. Besides the relationship of Everett, Gage and Nash we also get the relationship (or lack thereof) with Everett and his son. Of course there are a few of our favorites who pop up through the book. It’s an intense read (ain’t gonna lie). You will feel that familiar gut wrenching – hold your breath – heart pounding sensation. You will be holding onto to hope and love that Kennedy can put you back together.Unexpected is in the top 5 favorites of Ms. Kennedy. It doesn’t matter which couple is next – which series she is going to write – I will always HANDS DOWN read it. Thank you Ms. Kennedy for giving us another fantastic book for us to fall in love with. You are truly a phenomenal writer.

It pains me to designate any of the Protectors series as my 'least favorite', but this one unfortunately stood out as that. A good part of that can be chalked up to the fact that I don't care for the historical fiction premise -- I mentioned in Defiance that the character of Everette Shaw, while not inherently bad, was one that I couldn't quite swallow, for the fact that he was supposedly a former president. Which president? The 43rd? 42nd? 42nd and 1/2? 43rd and 3/4? Yeah -- that was a bridge too far, for me to ignore and enjoy the fictional aspect.But, once I get past that, how does the story and characters hold up? Not unlike Vengeance, I was very underwhelmed by this trio. Again, blame Sloane Kennedy for having set the bar so high, with Absolution as the first polyamorous relationship. Considering that we don't even meet Gage until halfway into the book, I wasn't even sold on Everett being in a relationship with EITHER character (he had better chemistry with Vincent from the previous book, in my humble opinion) but maybe Nash would have worked fine, in a very generic bodyguard with a crush kind of story. For what it was, the addition of not one, not two, but THREE older men in a relationship was novel -- a vast majority of LGBT lit has mostly younger characters, and it's very rare to see sexuality even explored past 40 in most media (heck, even when the Golden Girls talked about their sex lives, it was used as a punchline) Sloane Kennedy has pushed that barrier a little in previous books, but even the actual grandfather of the Protectors family, Magnus DuCane is in his forties, and that's pretty young to be a grandparent. However, my impression was a little undercut by the fact that even Everett is written as being a 60-something year old in a 40-something year old's body -- the gray hair is mostly cosmetic, and he's still lean and ripped, like all the other men in these books. For some, their body type is at least understandable -- an underground organization of investigators and assassins, they spend a lot of their time working out, fighting, and basically living an army lifestyle -- but for an aging politician who has no reason to even want to stay in shape out of vanity also started to stretch my suspension of disbelief.The best point of this story, I will jump out and admit outright, was the relationship between Everett and his son, Reese. That was heartbreaking, from the word 'go.' I genuinely felt for a man who's only child wanted nothing to do with him, and was actively pushing him away -- and considering that Reese was part of Ronan's organization, and how most of the men who were distant or even outright hostile with their parents was received by the other members of the organization, it really added some heavy dramatic irony and another challenge to what we'd previously accepted as reality for the Protectors family. That said, the reason behind the rift... this is the second time that one of the characters' exes not only turned into a hostile force against one of the leads, but did it specifically to spite them for being a gay man. I don't know how prevalent it is in real life, but every time I see the trope crop up in fiction, it's so ugly and so cringey that I just shake my head and roll my eyes.As I said -- Sloane Kennedy and the Protectors family are very rarely bad books. This one, however, was definitely the weakest, with the least amount of points that were especially outstanding as 'good', and the points that dragged them down being especially distracting from the good stuff. Like the one before it, maybe if your a big fan of Tom Clancy style political thrillers, or maybe even John Grisham novels (see what I did there?) this will suit you just fine. For me, I'll probably pass it over for one of the stronger installments.

The latest book in The Protectors Series takes place on the periphery of the Barretti/Protectors world, in that the characters are not central to that family, but are just as important. While Reece (one of Ronan's employees and the son of a former POTUS) recovers from the injuries he sustained protecting Brody (from Finding Hope), Reece's father, Everett (said former POTUS and Protectors' ally) is beside himself with worry, grief and hope that his relationship with his estranged son can be repaired. To aid in Reece's convalescence, Reece's work partner, Gage, offers his secluded home, extending the invitation to Everett and, by default, Secret Service Agent Jonathan Nash.As the three men work together to protect Reece from the public eye and help him heal, they find strength, support and a whole lot of chemistry between them. The past traumas and failings each man works through as their relationship with each other grows works to strengthen the bonds of trust and the growing love between them, even as Everett and Reece's relationship makes tentative progress forward. Ms Kennedy excels at bringing the readers smack into the middle of an emotional mess and these three men have a lot to work through if they're going to cement their relationship.Well done, Ms Kennedy, and I look forward to your next installment!

Honestly this author has become my fave M/M or M/M/M Author ever! Every single book exceeds the last! Brilliant!This is book 10 in the Protectors series and just became my fave. This is Everett, Nash and Gage's story.Everett is out of his mind with worry for his son after he was injured on a job. Unfortunately Reese his son wants nothing to do with him at all. Everett is determined to be there for his son in his time of need even though Reese hasn't spoken to him in years after he found out he had cheated on his mom with a man. He's never forgiven himself for the way Reese found him and he wants to make up for the past.Nash is Everett's government assigned agent. Nash has been dumped with this baby sitting job after a scandal has blighted his career. Nash has always admired Everett from a young boy. As a man he's finding it hard to be around him as it has become an attraction he's struggling to fight with. When he's forced to be there for Everett while his son is recuperating the attraction gets stronger and he finds he can no longer hide it.Gage is Reese's work partner. After having done numerous jobs with Reese he knows the boy is in pain and he wants to help him. Offering as pretty much his only friend Gage gets Reese to agree to come to his home to recover under the condition that his dad Everitt stays too. Gage see's the torment in Everett but he also wants to protect his friend.After initial sparks between all three men they are forced into an enclosed space together. The heat starts to grow until all three of them can no longer fight it.After everything Everett has been through will he be able to not only risk his heart but his relationship with his son too? Can Nash let down his guard enough and preconceived views to even consider a relationship with not 1 but 2 men? Will they want him? Can Gage help his friend and have the family he always hoped for with Everett and Nash?Everything about this book i loved! The plot, the characters, the funny animals, the beginning middle and end! EV - ER - Y - TH - ING!!! Seriously!We've already met all three characters in previous books but this throws them wide open. Their secrets all come pouring out as they start sharing themselves with each other. I love the confusion they all feel at being attracted equally to more than one man. This is one of my major points of loving this author, there are no jealousies between any of them and it's great to read the trio as equals, not separate relationships but together. They are all very different men and do have differing relationships with each other but as a reader all they come across as is a trio not separates.Each have qualities that made me fall in love with each of them. Everett may have had a privileged background but it was far from easy. Nash has a dark past that will make you break for him but he's so strong and determined. I did however love it when he made himself vulnerable to his men. Finally Gage he's so wonderful even with his past he manages to be upbeat and fun. But him as a father and his relationship with his own father had me swooning big!The sexy times... OHHHHHH MYYYY GOOOOOD!!! THE SEXY TIMES! Jesus i thought a few times i might have to pop outside for a cigarette it was so hot!! I freaking loved how adventurous they were!! Goodness!!! *fans everywhere* I can't actually put it into words i mean... ummm... phewww... it's hot in here huh?I started the book and did not put it down all day until it was done. It kept me gripped just by their relationship never-mind the storyline. The end caught me by surprise and i now can't wait for Reese's book!!It was great as usual to see some of my faves reappear again it's always amazing catching up and Vincent's appearance had me smiling big time!!!Amazing, Fabulous, swoon worthy read that will have you reaching for your B.O.B!!! Phewwwww my minds just gone there again*My official fave M/M Author!!!

As always Sloane Kennedy delivers the goods in spades. I keep waiting for a book that isn't quite as good as the last one, maybe doesn't deliver on the emotion, or the MC's don't quite gel as a couple or throuple but... it... just... doesn't... happen and she constantly surpasses herself. This book is no exception. Somehow she manages to keep coming up with original storylines, different personalities for her characters and Oooooooh the FEELS in this book. Once again tissues are a requirement (a very LARGE box of them) chocolate and hopefully youll have some alcohol on hand as well.;-) She is definitely the Queen of the menage story. She has the knack of making three men equal participants and you never feel as though one of them is the odd man out. It's a skill not many menage writers have but Sloane's triads are always totally believable as men in love with each other. Everett, Gage and Nash gel perfectly as a triad, their stories will break your heart and then piece it back together stronger than it was before.

Everytime I read one of these books I get so damm choked up with what’s going on. This book tells you more about Everett and a bit more about Vincent. Nash, Everett’s bodyguard has been pining for him since he was a young lad. The two go to Gage’s house, another of Ronan’s men, when he offers to take care Reese, Everett’s estranged son who’s been badly wounded. Feelings begin to grow between Everett, Nash and Gage, but they need to get Reese to start talking to his father before they can start to plan a future

Well sloane has done it again with this brilliant addition to theProtectors series it's heartbreakingly good as we watch Everett struggle with his sexuality and his feelings for not one but two sexy as sin men Nash and Gage all the while trying to fix his relationship with his son Reece. This book is beautifully done has you going on an emotional journey with the four men trying to build a family together. Absolutely stunning loved it a definite must read a 5* plus rating

I absolutely LOVE this series. There wasn't as much action as there is in the previous books but I wouldn't want it any other way because it wouldn't have fit with the story, which was brilliant.