Kels and Denise Stone have done it again! On Guard was everything I wanted and more: sports romance, siblings in the spotlight, real life struggles, and the kind of sizzling, heartfelt chemistry that makes a book impossible to put down. Every book from these two just keeps getting better, and Dante and Reese’s story? Absolute perfection.

I love a good opposites attract romance, and Reese and Dante embodied everything I adore—good girl x bad boy, delicious tension, undeniable chemistry, and a connection so deep it felt like they had known each other forever. Their banter was fun, their intimacy was hot, and their emotional bond? Unmatched.

Dante Hastings completely stole my heart. He’s that MAN. The book boyfriend of your dreams. The perfect blend of cocky and vulnerable, he’s a fighter who has spent years forcing himself to be seen after a lifetime of feeling invisible. And then there’s Reese. She is ambitious, determined, and ready to step outside the box she’s been put in. I loved seeing her push past her limits, stand up for herself, and take control of her career and her happiness.

The way these two saw each other, supported each other, and brought out the best in one another was beautiful. Dante was her protector from the very start, and Reese could read him in ways no one else ever could. Watching them fall for each other in the chaos of their lives felt so real; they made mistakes, they had fears, but they tackled it all together.

This book had everything: intense chemistry, emotional depth, incredible character growth, and a romance that felt like fate. Plus, the fencing/sports setting (a sport you really do not read about often, especially in romance novels) was fresh and exciting, adding another layer of depth to an already stunning story.

I cannot wait for more from the Hastings family! This series is already a favorite, and I’m counting down the days until the next one.

Thank you to Valentine PR and Kels & Denise Stone for the ARC!