What do you think?
Rate this book
Close Protection
IT’S. FINALLY. HAPPENING. The thrilling fake-dating, bodyguard romance YA debut from the original BookTok content creator of the year, Eden Victoria (@EdenVictorria and @edenslife)
Being the heiress of Greenway Discoveries, Daphne Green has always lived a life of privilege. But when there is a break-in at her father’s office, he enlists the service of Milosh Petrov to guard her as a precaution. Just a precaution . . .
Assertive and straight-talking Milosh takes his job keep them safe and walk away. But when he’s tasked with posing as a close protection officer for Daphne, walking away starts to feel impossible. And when the threat against her life becomes very real, Milosh vows to do whatever it takes to keep her safe.
The perfect read for fans of Ana Huang, Jessa Hastings and Lauren Asher.
Being the heiress of Greenway Discoveries, Daphne Green has always lived a life of privilege. But when there is a break-in at her father’s office, he enlists the service of Milosh Petrov to guard her as a precaution. Just a precaution . . .
Assertive and straight-talking Milosh takes his job keep them safe and walk away. But when he’s tasked with posing as a close protection officer for Daphne, walking away starts to feel impossible. And when the threat against her life becomes very real, Milosh vows to do whatever it takes to keep her safe.
The perfect read for fans of Ana Huang, Jessa Hastings and Lauren Asher.
Kindle Edition
Published March 13, 2025
291 people are currently reading
6549 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 907 reviews
July 24, 2025
i feel like i have to start this off with an apology or something. Eden is one of my favorite booktokers. i love her, i get recs from her, and i wish her nothing but success. unfortunately, i'm rating the book, not the person.
first off, characters. if i can't name a single personality trait for the main characters, that's a problem.
Daphne is 17. since this is a bit of an age gap romance, i really would have preferred if she were 18, it wouldn't have changed the plot at all. she's not a bad main character, just one-dimensional. what threw me off the most, though, is that she says the word "daddy" 76 times.
seventy. six.
Milosh is the bodyguard. the title is misleading because Close Protection is what he's supposed to be doing, but he's nowhere to be seen. why are you leaving this girl by herself when she's in danger? someone cut this man's salary rn. can't say much else about him, even Daphne's closet had more character development.
the romance was very insta-love. the book kept telling me there was tension but....where? there's a moment when a random sales assistant goes "I wish someone looked at me the way he looks at you and I wish I could look at someone with the same amount of love that’s in your eyes."
ma'am, who are you? leave this girl alone.
my biggest issue at the end of the day? i was bored. to me, that's the worst thing a book can make me feel.
i wanted to enjoy this, but i'm not going to lie just because i like the author. if Eden writes more, i'll definitely check out her future books.
first off, characters. if i can't name a single personality trait for the main characters, that's a problem.
Daphne is 17. since this is a bit of an age gap romance, i really would have preferred if she were 18, it wouldn't have changed the plot at all. she's not a bad main character, just one-dimensional. what threw me off the most, though, is that she says the word "daddy" 76 times.
seventy. six.
Milosh is the bodyguard. the title is misleading because Close Protection is what he's supposed to be doing, but he's nowhere to be seen. why are you leaving this girl by herself when she's in danger? someone cut this man's salary rn. can't say much else about him, even Daphne's closet had more character development.
the romance was very insta-love. the book kept telling me there was tension but....where? there's a moment when a random sales assistant goes "I wish someone looked at me the way he looks at you and I wish I could look at someone with the same amount of love that’s in your eyes."
ma'am, who are you? leave this girl alone.
my biggest issue at the end of the day? i was bored. to me, that's the worst thing a book can make me feel.
i wanted to enjoy this, but i'm not going to lie just because i like the author. if Eden writes more, i'll definitely check out her future books.
March 15, 2025
they let anyone publish books nowadays💀
August 20, 2025
This was so painful to read…
I really wanted to like this. It has my favorite trope– bodyguard romance. But I tell you: This. Was. Not. It. If I could give this 0 stars, I would. There was no redeeming character in this book. I did not like anyone
Guess who was NEVER at her side when she needed help? Her bodyguard.
Guess who left her alone at every moment posible? Her bodyguard.
Instead of being called Close Protection, the book should’ve been called Long Distance Protection. Cause that bodyguard was ALWAYS away when she was in danger.
It was his first day and she was already strangled unconscious.
This book made no sense at all?
Was it a fashion article? Because the naming of brands left and right was insane.
Or was it a book where they where trying to recreate scenes from all the movies posible?
“Troy Bolton, calm down” That made my eyes PHYSICALLY bleed.
Lets talk about Daphne. I did not like her at all. When reading from her point of view, she would talk as if she was 40 years old on one paragraph and the next felt like she was a 9 year old.
Someone should delete the word “Daddy” from her vocabulary because that girl could not utter a sentence without saying it.
What was it with her constantly mentioning how hot Henry was?
And what the hell was it about Amelia and Henry being 30-40 year olds acting like 15 YEARS OLD. What do you mean you’re sneaking in your boss’s house to have sex?!?!?
Milosh… I did not like you either. And that’s a you problem. What’s with you protecting several congressmen from bullets and them getting out squeaky clean, and on your first day, the poor girl is strangled unconscious?
Oh, and when a random guy appears at the house, let’s leave her with him so they can train.
Also, let me leave her in the cabin alone so I can get some groceries, all the while we are being hunted by a secret spy organization.
Yes, you are just the most perfect special ops, medal winner, special agent ever.
There are so many more wrong things in this book but if I continue, I’ll never finish.
Also, was it just me? I read the book on my Kindle and both POVs had different fonts?? I wanted to DNF it right there.
I also have to mention that this book needed like 3 more rounds of editing because the amount of gramatical errors and typos was abysmal.
I really wanted to like this. It has my favorite trope– bodyguard romance. But I tell you: This. Was. Not. It. If I could give this 0 stars, I would. There was no redeeming character in this book. I did not like anyone
Guess who was NEVER at her side when she needed help? Her bodyguard.
Guess who left her alone at every moment posible? Her bodyguard.
Instead of being called Close Protection, the book should’ve been called Long Distance Protection. Cause that bodyguard was ALWAYS away when she was in danger.
It was his first day and she was already strangled unconscious.
This book made no sense at all?
Was it a fashion article? Because the naming of brands left and right was insane.
Or was it a book where they where trying to recreate scenes from all the movies posible?
“Troy Bolton, calm down” That made my eyes PHYSICALLY bleed.
Lets talk about Daphne. I did not like her at all. When reading from her point of view, she would talk as if she was 40 years old on one paragraph and the next felt like she was a 9 year old.
Someone should delete the word “Daddy” from her vocabulary because that girl could not utter a sentence without saying it.
What was it with her constantly mentioning how hot Henry was?
And what the hell was it about Amelia and Henry being 30-40 year olds acting like 15 YEARS OLD. What do you mean you’re sneaking in your boss’s house to have sex?!?!?
Milosh… I did not like you either. And that’s a you problem. What’s with you protecting several congressmen from bullets and them getting out squeaky clean, and on your first day, the poor girl is strangled unconscious?
Oh, and when a random guy appears at the house, let’s leave her with him so they can train.
Also, let me leave her in the cabin alone so I can get some groceries, all the while we are being hunted by a secret spy organization.
Yes, you are just the most perfect special ops, medal winner, special agent ever.
There are so many more wrong things in this book but if I continue, I’ll never finish.
Also, was it just me? I read the book on my Kindle and both POVs had different fonts?? I wanted to DNF it right there.
I also have to mention that this book needed like 3 more rounds of editing because the amount of gramatical errors and typos was abysmal.
March 27, 2025
eden, with all due respect, please never lift a pen ever again 🥰
March 20, 2025
⭑ ⭒ ⭒ ⭒ ⭒
0.09 stars
♰ This book is proof that God exists because only a divine miracle kept my eyes and brain from bleeding out with every page turn.
0.09 stars
♰ This book is proof that God exists because only a divine miracle kept my eyes and brain from bleeding out with every page turn.
March 15, 2025
not the best..some scenes were cringe. it’s ironic how the author judges(critiques) other books but goes on to make something boring like this
actually it wasn’t boring it just had too many dramatic scenes that were not needed
their language was cringe
the characters were mid. they all lacked personality.
everything seemed forced
wanted to dnf at 50% icl
actually it wasn’t boring it just had too many dramatic scenes that were not needed
their language was cringe
the characters were mid. they all lacked personality.
everything seemed forced
wanted to dnf at 50% icl
March 20, 2025
YALL LET ANYBODY PUBLISH A DAMN BOOK!
FIRST I WANT TO SAY GOOD LUCK TO ANYBODY ABOUT TO READ THIS DUMPSTER TRUCK.
what's so funny is that eden talked about HATING magnolia parks bc of the constant mentioning of outfits and brands and then turns around and does the same thing in her book! what a let down.
OMG AND THE AMOUNT OF TIMES SHE SAID THE WORD "DADDY" holy fuck!
this book was just pure trash! and I really really tried to like it.. both MCs were insufferable. Daphne spoke like she was a 60 year old woman but also like a 10 year old child, it was quite disturbing.
don't get me started about the bodygaurd, THE WORST BODYGAURD IN THE WORLD. he was never around always left her with any and everybody, first day on the job she is unconscious, he left her so many times whilst they are being hunted down. SOMEBODY FIRE THIS MAN!
IT WAS 0 STARS FOR ME!
I was so excited for this book, the way eden sits there and critics these popular books and flat out says how horrible they are I would think her book would be one of the best books i've read in my life.. what a bummer!
oh god and let's not for get about the errors and typos!! I am not the grammar police but when you're very harsh when it comes to reviews and then decide to write a book, please make sure it is 1) actually good and 2) proof read a THOUSANDS of times to make sure there are no grammars or typos.
my god I want to wash my eyes out with soap! anybody who gave this 5 stars is GLAZING, or that simply have really shitty taste in books.
FIRST I WANT TO SAY GOOD LUCK TO ANYBODY ABOUT TO READ THIS DUMPSTER TRUCK.
what's so funny is that eden talked about HATING magnolia parks bc of the constant mentioning of outfits and brands and then turns around and does the same thing in her book! what a let down.
OMG AND THE AMOUNT OF TIMES SHE SAID THE WORD "DADDY" holy fuck!
this book was just pure trash! and I really really tried to like it.. both MCs were insufferable. Daphne spoke like she was a 60 year old woman but also like a 10 year old child, it was quite disturbing.
don't get me started about the bodygaurd, THE WORST BODYGAURD IN THE WORLD. he was never around always left her with any and everybody, first day on the job she is unconscious, he left her so many times whilst they are being hunted down. SOMEBODY FIRE THIS MAN!
IT WAS 0 STARS FOR ME!
I was so excited for this book, the way eden sits there and critics these popular books and flat out says how horrible they are I would think her book would be one of the best books i've read in my life.. what a bummer!
oh god and let's not for get about the errors and typos!! I am not the grammar police but when you're very harsh when it comes to reviews and then decide to write a book, please make sure it is 1) actually good and 2) proof read a THOUSANDS of times to make sure there are no grammars or typos.
my god I want to wash my eyes out with soap! anybody who gave this 5 stars is GLAZING, or that simply have really shitty taste in books.
March 15, 2025
The way I was hyped about this book. Such a letdown. This book is written on Wattpad level. The grammar was bad, the vocab was weird. The working couple Amelia and ?Henry? trying to have sex every damn minute in their employers house is very weird.
March 16, 2025
Summary: 0/10, terrible, insanely bad, wish i never read it.
i wanted so so badly to like this book. now as someone who primarily gravitates towards clean romance books, i was very excited when a tiktoker i so thoroughly enjoy watching made a book. she made it sound so so wonderful. bodyguard ✅ black FMC ✅ like okay book! tell me why we’re four chapters into a 38 chapter book and the MMC says “Hmm.’ I nod, as I slip the key in one of my pockets. My eyes scan down her face, onto her neck, stopping at her collarbones, where I can see the rise and fall of her shallow breaths. I look back up at her only to find her eyes on my mouth. My tongue darts out to wet my bottom lip and she looks up, meeting my eyes. She’s parts her lips, about to say something before we hear a gentle knock on the door.”
LIKE WHAT ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?!?!?!?!!? YOU DONT EVEN KNOW HER?!?!?!?!
I DONT CARE if this was a “fast paced book” you couldn’t choke this book down my throat if you payed me $1,000,000 because like what 😭😭. not to mention the grammar. mercy me 😭.
i didn’t want my brain to read another page of the book and waste my time, i DNF’d that book at chapter 10. I’m so so sorry eden victoria i truly wanted to like this book. and to everyone who rated 5 stars, you’re either lying or you have poor taste in books and you should never give a book rec. ever.
i wanted so so badly to like this book. now as someone who primarily gravitates towards clean romance books, i was very excited when a tiktoker i so thoroughly enjoy watching made a book. she made it sound so so wonderful. bodyguard ✅ black FMC ✅ like okay book! tell me why we’re four chapters into a 38 chapter book and the MMC says “Hmm.’ I nod, as I slip the key in one of my pockets. My eyes scan down her face, onto her neck, stopping at her collarbones, where I can see the rise and fall of her shallow breaths. I look back up at her only to find her eyes on my mouth. My tongue darts out to wet my bottom lip and she looks up, meeting my eyes. She’s parts her lips, about to say something before we hear a gentle knock on the door.”
LIKE WHAT ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?!?!?!?!!? YOU DONT EVEN KNOW HER?!?!?!?!
I DONT CARE if this was a “fast paced book” you couldn’t choke this book down my throat if you payed me $1,000,000 because like what 😭😭. not to mention the grammar. mercy me 😭.
i didn’t want my brain to read another page of the book and waste my time, i DNF’d that book at chapter 10. I’m so so sorry eden victoria i truly wanted to like this book. and to everyone who rated 5 stars, you’re either lying or you have poor taste in books and you should never give a book rec. ever.
March 16, 2025
Before I start the actual review, I want to make it explicitly clear that there are no ill intentions towards the author herself. I have enjoyed her content on TikTok for a while and was genuinely very excited to follow her writing endeavors - however, this book fell short for me and I am always 100% honest in my reviews. So fair warning: this is a negative review (if you couldn’t already tell by the one star rating.)
One of the most blatant issues throughout the book is who, exactly, the intended audience is meant to be. The book is classified as Young Adult but the writing feels more like a Middle-Grade children’s book, which then clashes terribly with the steamier scenes that verge on New Adult. There was no cohesion at all. And, if the audience is meant to be the current adolescents of 2025, surely the MULTIPLE High School Musical references are greatly outdated, no?
I will readily acknowledge that I have aged out of the YA-intended age bracket, but some of my favourites books of all time are YA - written with incredible, intricate, purposeful prose. Close Protection lacked any flow or finesse, or even just any decent sentences. It really needed a few more rounds of editing, as there were a LOT of grammatical errors.
‘Job. Daphne.
Employee. Me.’ is repeated SO MANY TIMES I felt like I was going insane. Not only is it farcical to repeat the same sentence that much as if in an attempt to create some kind of important motif, WHY WOULD YOU MAKE YOUR CHARACTER SOUND LIKE A BRAINLESS NEANDERTHAL?!
No trust is given to the reader at all, everything is spoonfed to you. The plot was practically non-existent, and any attempts at a plot twist was half-hearted at best. If you’ve read any bodyguard romances before, chances are you’ve read ones much better than this. Very obvious and gimmicky.
Speaking of gimmicks, early in the book the Big Bad Boy Bodyguard, who is supposed to be a highly decorated military officer at the tender age of eighteen, and who is also supposed to carry a weapon at all times because, you know, that’s what he’s been hired to do, is weaponless in the face of an opponent, and uses a frying pan to knock him out like he’s Flynn fucking Rider. Again, who is this meant to appeal to?
Milosh is such a stupid character. Such a glaring example of a ‘told, not shown’ character as he’s supposedly such an incredible close protection officer but every time his services are needed he fucks off. They’re being hunted by a super secret spy organisation (lol) and they’re hiding out in a different country and then HER BODYGUARD is like ‘gtg to the shops queen, see you later.’ Or when a strange guy shows up injured at the house and openly admits he’s mixed up in the same business as them, Milosh leaves them alone together to train.
All of the other characters are so underdeveloped and one-dimensional it’s painful. The protagonist, Daphne, rotates between talking about fashion brands, her rich ‘daddy’, and how hot the help is. Henry and Amelia, said help, are a married couple that have an odd amount of presence in the book. They do nothing, but Daphne is constantly talking about them and how attractive they are and how she wants a relationship like them and you’re left like, who are these people?? Maybe the found family is the sexy staff my daddy employed along the way.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster UK Children's and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC. All opinions are my own.
One of the most blatant issues throughout the book is who, exactly, the intended audience is meant to be. The book is classified as Young Adult but the writing feels more like a Middle-Grade children’s book, which then clashes terribly with the steamier scenes that verge on New Adult. There was no cohesion at all. And, if the audience is meant to be the current adolescents of 2025, surely the MULTIPLE High School Musical references are greatly outdated, no?
I will readily acknowledge that I have aged out of the YA-intended age bracket, but some of my favourites books of all time are YA - written with incredible, intricate, purposeful prose. Close Protection lacked any flow or finesse, or even just any decent sentences. It really needed a few more rounds of editing, as there were a LOT of grammatical errors.
‘Job. Daphne.
Employee. Me.’ is repeated SO MANY TIMES I felt like I was going insane. Not only is it farcical to repeat the same sentence that much as if in an attempt to create some kind of important motif, WHY WOULD YOU MAKE YOUR CHARACTER SOUND LIKE A BRAINLESS NEANDERTHAL?!
No trust is given to the reader at all, everything is spoonfed to you. The plot was practically non-existent, and any attempts at a plot twist was half-hearted at best. If you’ve read any bodyguard romances before, chances are you’ve read ones much better than this. Very obvious and gimmicky.
Speaking of gimmicks, early in the book the Big Bad Boy Bodyguard, who is supposed to be a highly decorated military officer at the tender age of eighteen, and who is also supposed to carry a weapon at all times because, you know, that’s what he’s been hired to do, is weaponless in the face of an opponent, and uses a frying pan to knock him out like he’s Flynn fucking Rider. Again, who is this meant to appeal to?
Milosh is such a stupid character. Such a glaring example of a ‘told, not shown’ character as he’s supposedly such an incredible close protection officer but every time his services are needed he fucks off. They’re being hunted by a super secret spy organisation (lol) and they’re hiding out in a different country and then HER BODYGUARD is like ‘gtg to the shops queen, see you later.’ Or when a strange guy shows up injured at the house and openly admits he’s mixed up in the same business as them, Milosh leaves them alone together to train.
All of the other characters are so underdeveloped and one-dimensional it’s painful. The protagonist, Daphne, rotates between talking about fashion brands, her rich ‘daddy’, and how hot the help is. Henry and Amelia, said help, are a married couple that have an odd amount of presence in the book. They do nothing, but Daphne is constantly talking about them and how attractive they are and how she wants a relationship like them and you’re left like, who are these people?? Maybe the found family is the sexy staff my daddy employed along the way.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster UK Children's and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC. All opinions are my own.
April 17, 2025
i am in a reading slump because of this book.
i would rather shit on my hands and clap twice before reading this again.
this book ruined my life . 14 days later and I AM STILL IN A READING SLUMP.
i would rather shit on my hands and clap twice before reading this again.
this book ruined my life . 14 days later and I AM STILL IN A READING SLUMP.
Read
March 13, 2025dnf.
no, just no.
no, just no.
March 25, 2025
3.5⭐️- This was such a fun read! It was fast paced, cute, and gave all the feel good vibes. There was lots of cute banter and quirky moments that I really enjoyed from the characters. I especially loved the ultra feminine FMC, she gave all the girly energy and reminded me so much of Dionne from Clueless! However, I do wish she had been older. I just prefer both characters be adults in an age gap relationship.
March 16, 2025
I wanted to like this book, I really did.
It was my most anticipated read of 2025 but guess who dropped the book after 3 chapters? Yes,ME!
Eden had great opinions on books she knew what was good and what was bad but she proceeded to make her fmc 17 yrs? Her character was so bad.
And milosh oh god ordering her not to let her father shout at her when her father seemed to be a very nice man? Where's the respect bro?
Not to mention the instant love thing, I really am disappointed.
It was my most anticipated read of 2025 but guess who dropped the book after 3 chapters? Yes,ME!
Eden had great opinions on books she knew what was good and what was bad but she proceeded to make her fmc 17 yrs? Her character was so bad.
And milosh oh god ordering her not to let her father shout at her when her father seemed to be a very nice man? Where's the respect bro?
Not to mention the instant love thing, I really am disappointed.
March 17, 2025
Buckle up because I have some things to say:
Close Protection is a very fast passed romance that did not feel as intimate and intense as i had hoped it to be.
The review could end here, but oh this is not the only qualm I have with this book. So here we go.
Given the nature of this book, I feel as though it is important to check off some things here:
✅ big strong bulgarian bodyguard (who speaks russian)
✅ cute 17 year old girl he is meant to protect from a threat no one really knows or cares to properly explain.
Bonus:
✅ incompetent bodyguard unable of keeping his protectee safe
✅ you’re house is broken into and a character shows up that you notice is being evasive and fishy, LETS LEAVE HIM ALONE WITH fmc
✅ daddy issues but infantilize the fmc by adding “daddy” as the most frequent word out of her mouth
✅ weird family dynamics with this couple doing it everywhere, repeatedly (why are we acting like children in our bosses house?)
While I understand that Daphne (fmc) is not supposed to be in-the-know about the more substantial matters of the book such as the business and finance - OH and the reason they’re being targeted by violent people of course -> as a reader, I would have appreciate more transparency especially in the pov of the male main character. Currently, I don’t even know what’s going
on.
As the is book labeled as a romance, I am assuming the lack of detail is because the scope would stray too far from the core topics if properly explained - however this would’ve been great for the book as there’s a whole bunch of nothing at filler stuff in this book that could’ve been half its size and still more entertaining if a single plot was properly explained.
Unfortunately, I have my issues with the existing romantic aspects of the book as well.
The book was targeted to me as a bodyguard/protectee romance with a slow burn quality and no spice but tension. I am at 60% now and the characters have been in love with each other since the beginning. The only people who do not know are the main characters.
Unfortunately, the book does not explain ANY attraction between the two at all beyond superficialities. I still do not know anything about either main characters that would indicate that the two are getting closer or bonding - or even justify it - they are both SO BLAND and lack depth - except for Daphne, of course, who has that one undeniable quality of weaponized incompetence and just pisses me off entirely. Furthermore, Daphne is also infuriating and annoying, I had to get to 60% of the book for her to understand that mindlessly lying about a piece of jewelry that is explicitly being sought after by criminals might not be the best idea; because you could have made that connection daphne it’s not all that hard.
Especially the storyline unfolding between 50-60% shows to me that in order to progress the plot outside of their romance, there is an entire lack of further emotional world-building which now results in two storylines that are both not drawing me in and rather boring. I’m not invested in the romance and i’m not invested in whatever whoever is trying to take away from those people in the first place … (because I do not care and do not know half of it anyways) - unfortunately, I find myself bored by the book:(
The lacking tension, which is not substituted by mindless spice lacks real depth, the characters lack relatability and have too much stupidity - and the book lacks the pining quality I was hoping to find in this book to make it all worth it.
Considering the length of this book it mostly bores me and does not entertain - currently thinking about not finishing it because I genuinely could not care less.
I bought this book because I enjoyed TikToks from the author but this does not meet any standard the creator/author has perpetuated and solidified among her videos. What a bummer.
Close Protection is a very fast passed romance that did not feel as intimate and intense as i had hoped it to be.
The review could end here, but oh this is not the only qualm I have with this book. So here we go.
Given the nature of this book, I feel as though it is important to check off some things here:
✅ big strong bulgarian bodyguard (who speaks russian)
✅ cute 17 year old girl he is meant to protect from a threat no one really knows or cares to properly explain.
Bonus:
✅ incompetent bodyguard unable of keeping his protectee safe
✅ you’re house is broken into and a character shows up that you notice is being evasive and fishy, LETS LEAVE HIM ALONE WITH fmc
✅ daddy issues but infantilize the fmc by adding “daddy” as the most frequent word out of her mouth
✅ weird family dynamics with this couple doing it everywhere, repeatedly (why are we acting like children in our bosses house?)
While I understand that Daphne (fmc) is not supposed to be in-the-know about the more substantial matters of the book such as the business and finance - OH and the reason they’re being targeted by violent people of course -> as a reader, I would have appreciate more transparency especially in the pov of the male main character. Currently, I don’t even know what’s going
on.
As the is book labeled as a romance, I am assuming the lack of detail is because the scope would stray too far from the core topics if properly explained - however this would’ve been great for the book as there’s a whole bunch of nothing at filler stuff in this book that could’ve been half its size and still more entertaining if a single plot was properly explained.
Unfortunately, I have my issues with the existing romantic aspects of the book as well.
The book was targeted to me as a bodyguard/protectee romance with a slow burn quality and no spice but tension. I am at 60% now and the characters have been in love with each other since the beginning. The only people who do not know are the main characters.
Unfortunately, the book does not explain ANY attraction between the two at all beyond superficialities. I still do not know anything about either main characters that would indicate that the two are getting closer or bonding - or even justify it - they are both SO BLAND and lack depth - except for Daphne, of course, who has that one undeniable quality of weaponized incompetence and just pisses me off entirely. Furthermore, Daphne is also infuriating and annoying, I had to get to 60% of the book for her to understand that mindlessly lying about a piece of jewelry that is explicitly being sought after by criminals might not be the best idea; because you could have made that connection daphne it’s not all that hard.
Especially the storyline unfolding between 50-60% shows to me that in order to progress the plot outside of their romance, there is an entire lack of further emotional world-building which now results in two storylines that are both not drawing me in and rather boring. I’m not invested in the romance and i’m not invested in whatever whoever is trying to take away from those people in the first place … (because I do not care and do not know half of it anyways) - unfortunately, I find myself bored by the book:(
The lacking tension, which is not substituted by mindless spice lacks real depth, the characters lack relatability and have too much stupidity - and the book lacks the pining quality I was hoping to find in this book to make it all worth it.
Considering the length of this book it mostly bores me and does not entertain - currently thinking about not finishing it because I genuinely could not care less.
I bought this book because I enjoyed TikToks from the author but this does not meet any standard the creator/author has perpetuated and solidified among her videos. What a bummer.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
January 20, 2025Ahh I watch Eden all the time on booktok so of course I have to read her debut book!!
Tropes
✨ Bodyguard romance
✨ Fake dating
✨ Romantic suspense
✨ Grumpy x sunshine
✨ Found family
Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.
Tropes
✨ Bodyguard romance
✨ Fake dating
✨ Romantic suspense
✨ Grumpy x sunshine
✨ Found family
Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.
March 12, 2025
2.5 ⭐️ Don’t bother with this one - it’s a book that makes you go…meh
Here’s the main problem: sevenTEEN! Either way you spin it, not good: is this supposed to be a YA book with an adult MP (but common phrases/set ups to adult spice and then no spice) = cringe. Or is this an adult book with a *teen* FP (and no spice) = yuck!
And then other silly issues - like a family so insanely rich they have a head of security, but he’s either never around or fucking around, who manages a security team so incompetent that the house is constantly being broken into…
At least the silly cover matches the silly storyline - a weapon of destruction/death that would shatter that bottle in real life is relegated to a bullet that goes: “plink!”
Here’s the main problem: sevenTEEN! Either way you spin it, not good: is this supposed to be a YA book with an adult MP (but common phrases/set ups to adult spice and then no spice) = cringe. Or is this an adult book with a *teen* FP (and no spice) = yuck!
And then other silly issues - like a family so insanely rich they have a head of security, but he’s either never around or fucking around, who manages a security team so incompetent that the house is constantly being broken into…
At least the silly cover matches the silly storyline - a weapon of destruction/death that would shatter that bottle in real life is relegated to a bullet that goes: “plink!”
Read
October 24, 2024THE QUEEN WROTE A BOOK!😋😋😋
March 23, 2025
where do i even begin??
i so badly wanted to like this book because i typically enjoy the tropes in it and i am a fan of eden’s content. I truly thought she was gonna do me right but i was let down 😔 if i could give it 0 starts trust me i would.
I didnt expect Daphne to be 17 and honestly did not like that at all. Its uncomfortable especially because they dont explicitly say how old Milosh is from what i read (dnf at chap 5). if she didnt want to say his age just dont say how old both of them are?? i also did not like that sooo much information was fed to us with no need for them like the side couple’s height and dynamic and how they met I DONT CAARREEE.
her dads lil outburst cracked me up like im so sorry i dont wanna invalidate her feelings but he yells at her saying “I SAID DONT WORRY” she wanna turn around and cry herself to sleep….okay
dont even get me started on that scene where milosh hits the intruder with the frying pan. iIwanted to rip my eyelashes off, thats when i knew it was enough torture and i had to stop.
speaking of Milosh, i HATED being in his head and reading his pov. Why did she write him like a robot?? also the first time he met Daphne he wanted to feel how soft her lips are like can we calm down please and thank u. His bit of analysing the room like ijbol. The forced kitchen scene between them did not give what needed to be gave cause why is Milosh having the important documents Amelia gave to him out and spread on the kitchen counter…u have a room for a reason ho!
Idk why she had Daphne saying daddy every other page but that made me physically cringe i couldnt take it. She can be rich and posh and still say dad its not a crime i promise 🙏😔. The writing style itself irked me cause it felt i was watching one of edens videos while reading Daphnes pov. Which makes me feel like this book was more of a self-insert than anything.
U cannot tell me that everyone who read this book before release is not her biggest opp because how did no one say anything? no one suggested getting an editor perhaps?? it felt like she wrote this in four days why did it feel so rushed omg. I already had some precautions because Milosh is white (SNOW BUNNIES NEVERR) but this was truly bad. Idk if she has a passion for writing or if a publishing house approached her to write a book, either way i hope she grows as a writer and wish her the best of luck.
i so badly wanted to like this book because i typically enjoy the tropes in it and i am a fan of eden’s content. I truly thought she was gonna do me right but i was let down 😔 if i could give it 0 starts trust me i would.
I didnt expect Daphne to be 17 and honestly did not like that at all. Its uncomfortable especially because they dont explicitly say how old Milosh is from what i read (dnf at chap 5). if she didnt want to say his age just dont say how old both of them are?? i also did not like that sooo much information was fed to us with no need for them like the side couple’s height and dynamic and how they met I DONT CAARREEE.
her dads lil outburst cracked me up like im so sorry i dont wanna invalidate her feelings but he yells at her saying “I SAID DONT WORRY” she wanna turn around and cry herself to sleep….okay
dont even get me started on that scene where milosh hits the intruder with the frying pan. iIwanted to rip my eyelashes off, thats when i knew it was enough torture and i had to stop.
speaking of Milosh, i HATED being in his head and reading his pov. Why did she write him like a robot?? also the first time he met Daphne he wanted to feel how soft her lips are like can we calm down please and thank u. His bit of analysing the room like ijbol. The forced kitchen scene between them did not give what needed to be gave cause why is Milosh having the important documents Amelia gave to him out and spread on the kitchen counter…u have a room for a reason ho!
Idk why she had Daphne saying daddy every other page but that made me physically cringe i couldnt take it. She can be rich and posh and still say dad its not a crime i promise 🙏😔. The writing style itself irked me cause it felt i was watching one of edens videos while reading Daphnes pov. Which makes me feel like this book was more of a self-insert than anything.
U cannot tell me that everyone who read this book before release is not her biggest opp because how did no one say anything? no one suggested getting an editor perhaps?? it felt like she wrote this in four days why did it feel so rushed omg. I already had some precautions because Milosh is white (SNOW BUNNIES NEVERR) but this was truly bad. Idk if she has a passion for writing or if a publishing house approached her to write a book, either way i hope she grows as a writer and wish her the best of luck.
March 24, 2025
Oh my goodness, Eden you’ve outdone yourself! 💗
As someone who has been watching Eden’s booktok videos for over two years, I was thrilled to hear she was writing a romance book and let me tell you Eden did not disappoint.
The storyline, the characters, the aesthetic, the setting, the cover, the tropes, the floor plan of the Green family mansion, the PLOT TWIST?!?!?! All of it was so, so enjoyable and I loved how there was actually a plot instead of the whole book just being romance.
This book was fast paced, easy to read and for a debut novel was spectacular. Close Protection got me out of a four month reading slump which I was struggling to get out of and absolutely exceeded my expectations. Not only the romance but also the overall storyline had me in a chokehold and I honestly think it deserves all the hype it can get.
The romance in this book did not feel toxic at all which is so lovely to read about considering a lot of books contain it. Simply good vibes all around and a plot that had me HOOKED. I could not put this down and I was literally walking around London at one point reading this book because I was enjoying it so much. Loved the high school musical references as well. 🫶
To anyone wanting to read this book, please remember this book is a YA and I feel that a lot of people don’t realise this when going into it. As a YA girlie, it was very appropriate for the age group and I feel that people who dislike it might’ve forgotten that factor. Either way, I struggle to find YA romances that aren’t too cringy but this book didn’t feel that way for me which also is another reason why I loved it so much.
Eden, you should be so endlessly proud of yourself because we all are. I will be recommending this book and already have to some of my friends. I’m so grateful to have read an ARC of this book and will be purchasing the physical copy from Waterstones immediately when it is released. I can’t wait to see where being an author takes you and I’m so excited to read any future books if you are planning on releasing anymore.
💗💗💗
As someone who has been watching Eden’s booktok videos for over two years, I was thrilled to hear she was writing a romance book and let me tell you Eden did not disappoint.
The storyline, the characters, the aesthetic, the setting, the cover, the tropes, the floor plan of the Green family mansion, the PLOT TWIST?!?!?! All of it was so, so enjoyable and I loved how there was actually a plot instead of the whole book just being romance.
This book was fast paced, easy to read and for a debut novel was spectacular. Close Protection got me out of a four month reading slump which I was struggling to get out of and absolutely exceeded my expectations. Not only the romance but also the overall storyline had me in a chokehold and I honestly think it deserves all the hype it can get.
The romance in this book did not feel toxic at all which is so lovely to read about considering a lot of books contain it. Simply good vibes all around and a plot that had me HOOKED. I could not put this down and I was literally walking around London at one point reading this book because I was enjoying it so much. Loved the high school musical references as well. 🫶
To anyone wanting to read this book, please remember this book is a YA and I feel that a lot of people don’t realise this when going into it. As a YA girlie, it was very appropriate for the age group and I feel that people who dislike it might’ve forgotten that factor. Either way, I struggle to find YA romances that aren’t too cringy but this book didn’t feel that way for me which also is another reason why I loved it so much.
Eden, you should be so endlessly proud of yourself because we all are. I will be recommending this book and already have to some of my friends. I’m so grateful to have read an ARC of this book and will be purchasing the physical copy from Waterstones immediately when it is released. I can’t wait to see where being an author takes you and I’m so excited to read any future books if you are planning on releasing anymore.
💗💗💗
dnf
September 2, 2025dnf 3%
can't listen anymore
can't listen anymore
March 17, 2025
Okey you self-proclaimed tik tok sensation, this was bad, like really... The plot- dry as hell. The characters- plain as hell. Uff disappointing.
March 20, 2025
4,75 ⭐
One word to describe this book (CUTE) ✨🎀🩷
One word to describe this book (CUTE) ✨🎀🩷
June 28, 2025
2☆
⚠︎[Violence]
☢︎[no major spoilers]
↓↓↓
I love me some cringy books, that being said, I did not love this one.
✴︎
I love, love, love the author so much from TikTok, but she did not do her big one with this.
I literally had to put the audiobook on 2.45x 😔
✴︎
The characters liked each other within the first 15% maybe even less. It wasn’t love at first sight per se but it was like at first sight.
The only couple I enjoyed were Amelia and Henry.
✴︎
Don’t get me wrong the things that Milosh were saying were cute but it just seemed so forced.
He used “baby” so many times I wanted to choke myself out and die.
There was not exactly miscommunication, but they acted like they didn’t like each other the WHOLE book. They were flirt one minute then be like “I don’t know if he likes me like that.” or “I’m her bodyguard.” literally get out of my face.
The reason I found this boring was BECAUSE they liked each other so fast that it was boring.
I will say tho.. if I were fake dating someone id like them almost immediately too(for shame 😔).
This is also why I don’t like fake dating I fear.
Another thing, I like how mature the characters were(ik their original ages so it makes sense). Daphne did not act like a 17 yr old and that’s okay 😭.
✴︎
The thriller part was good. If Eden made this a thriller book and had a sub plot of romance it’d probably be the best thing ever.
I was GAGGED on my walk because I didn’t see that coming at the end 💔.
✴︎
I hated George with a burning passion. He’ll never redeemed himself in my eyes. I want him to burn.
✴︎
Even tho I made this whole review I feel an urge to make a pinterest board. Idk I been wanting to make a pinterest board. I NEED A BOOK PINTEREST BOARD WORTHY!!
PEACE <3
⚠︎[Violence]
☢︎[no major spoilers]
↓↓↓
I love me some cringy books, that being said, I did not love this one.
✴︎
I love, love, love the author so much from TikTok, but she did not do her big one with this.
I literally had to put the audiobook on 2.45x 😔
✴︎
The characters liked each other within the first 15% maybe even less. It wasn’t love at first sight per se but it was like at first sight.
The only couple I enjoyed were Amelia and Henry.
✴︎
Don’t get me wrong the things that Milosh were saying were cute but it just seemed so forced.
He used “baby” so many times I wanted to choke myself out and die.
There was not exactly miscommunication, but they acted like they didn’t like each other the WHOLE book. They were flirt one minute then be like “I don’t know if he likes me like that.” or “I’m her bodyguard.” literally get out of my face.
The reason I found this boring was BECAUSE they liked each other so fast that it was boring.
I will say tho.. if I were fake dating someone id like them almost immediately too(for shame 😔).
This is also why I don’t like fake dating I fear.
Another thing, I like how mature the characters were(ik their original ages so it makes sense). Daphne did not act like a 17 yr old and that’s okay 😭.
✴︎
The thriller part was good. If Eden made this a thriller book and had a sub plot of romance it’d probably be the best thing ever.
I was GAGGED on my walk because I didn’t see that coming at the end 💔.
✴︎
I hated George with a burning passion. He’ll never redeemed himself in my eyes. I want him to burn.
✴︎
Even tho I made this whole review I feel an urge to make a pinterest board. Idk I been wanting to make a pinterest board. I NEED A BOOK PINTEREST BOARD WORTHY!!
PEACE <3
Read
April 6, 2025Unfortunately it was a bit of a miss for me. There was a lot of telling-not-showing romance and I’m not a fan of that. I didn’t feel the love and when they started to kiss it was just so off-putting and honestly a bit icky. I’m a big fan of Eden Victoria but this was not it, I’m sorry😬😬
⎯⎯ ୨ preread ୧ ⎯⎯
The queen wrote a book and the cover is so gorg i just had to have a physical copy😩😩
⎯⎯ ୨ preread ୧ ⎯⎯
The queen wrote a book and the cover is so gorg i just had to have a physical copy😩😩
March 18, 2025
This is ass I can't lie. Dnf
Read
March 18, 2025dnf at 17% she’s 17, and he’s 18-19. he tells her “don’t let anyone yell at you, idc if he’s your dad” she’s 17…so i’m gonna pause here 😂😂😂
March 26, 2025
For the hype this book had because of who the author is and everything Eden complains about in the books she reads, I was expecting so much more than what was delivered.
Is Miss Green a child? Grow up love and stop saying daddy like your 5.
The bodyguard was useless. Whilst Daphne was being strangled he decided to look in all the cupboards until he found a heavy pan and the staff staircase before rushing to her aid. By that time she is unconscious and could have been dead if the guy had decided to snap her neck . If this had been written for adults I don't think she would have. Why did he leave her alone with that guy (I can't remember his name now it's been nearly a week) who came out of the bathroom without a loo brush and was acting strange? He should have been there when she was alone with him in the garden. Worst body guard award goes to the guy with the foreign name that I also can't remember. Moshi, Milo?
Shows how interesting this book is. I remember everything about good books.
There is no way that anyone who missed and loved a parent would wear a locket with their photo in a swimming pool! It would be treasured knowing that the photo cannot be retaken and replaced. It wouldn't survive water and chlorine and neither would any writing on the back of a photo. Besides most formulas are really long and lockets are tiny. There's no way one could be written on the back of a photo. The whole idea of this had me wanting to throw the ebook in the bin. Then there's the whole scene of the perfume is the chemical that kills or something stupid like that.
Security guards don't need to tell head of security to tread on soft leaves and avoid twigs 🙄. It's like this book is written for young teenagers who don't know anything. Anyone who's watched many action movies know that telling colleagues to tread lightly without making a sound is unheard of. They also use hand signals.
There is nothing good that I can say about this story. It's not until the end that the cover makes any sense.
At one point I was wondering if brands had sponsored this book as there was so many names dropped.
Is Miss Green a child? Grow up love and stop saying daddy like your 5.
The bodyguard was useless. Whilst Daphne was being strangled he decided to look in all the cupboards until he found a heavy pan and the staff staircase before rushing to her aid. By that time she is unconscious and could have been dead if the guy had decided to snap her neck . If this had been written for adults I don't think she would have. Why did he leave her alone with that guy (I can't remember his name now it's been nearly a week) who came out of the bathroom without a loo brush and was acting strange? He should have been there when she was alone with him in the garden. Worst body guard award goes to the guy with the foreign name that I also can't remember. Moshi, Milo?
Shows how interesting this book is. I remember everything about good books.
There is no way that anyone who missed and loved a parent would wear a locket with their photo in a swimming pool! It would be treasured knowing that the photo cannot be retaken and replaced. It wouldn't survive water and chlorine and neither would any writing on the back of a photo. Besides most formulas are really long and lockets are tiny. There's no way one could be written on the back of a photo. The whole idea of this had me wanting to throw the ebook in the bin. Then there's the whole scene of the perfume is the chemical that kills or something stupid like that.
Security guards don't need to tell head of security to tread on soft leaves and avoid twigs 🙄. It's like this book is written for young teenagers who don't know anything. Anyone who's watched many action movies know that telling colleagues to tread lightly without making a sound is unheard of. They also use hand signals.
There is nothing good that I can say about this story. It's not until the end that the cover makes any sense.
At one point I was wondering if brands had sponsored this book as there was so many names dropped.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 18, 2025
why is milosh a bodyguard if he is unable to protect Daphne at every possible danger that she encounters?
was sooo skeptical abt the ages in this book as it made no sense whatsoever. Milosh is 19 (i think) and a certified protective officer (yet he lack the capabilities of doing so) and Daphne is 17. I understand this was meant to be a ya but some of the scenes were sooo strange and just inappropriate. The plot reminded a LOT of twisted love which I dnfed and this book just felt extremely rushed. The characters were poorly developed and so was the romance. Why did they already have feelings for each other within a DAY of meeting nuh uhh. wasn’t for me and wouldn’t recommend 👎👎.
was sooo skeptical abt the ages in this book as it made no sense whatsoever. Milosh is 19 (i think) and a certified protective officer (yet he lack the capabilities of doing so) and Daphne is 17. I understand this was meant to be a ya but some of the scenes were sooo strange and just inappropriate. The plot reminded a LOT of twisted love which I dnfed and this book just felt extremely rushed. The characters were poorly developed and so was the romance. Why did they already have feelings for each other within a DAY of meeting nuh uhh. wasn’t for me and wouldn’t recommend 👎👎.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 907 reviews