Quiet Man

(Dream Man #4.5)
Kristen Ashley
Add to Goodreads
Buy Amazon
Release Date August 13, 2019

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kristen Ashley comes a new story in her Dream Man series… 

Charlotte “Lottie” McAlister is in the zone. She’s ready to take on the next chapter of her life, and since she doesn’t have a man, she’ll do what she’s done all along. She’ll take care of business on her own. Even if that business means starting a family. 

The problem is, Lottie has a stalker. The really bad kind. The kind that means she needs a bodyguard. 

Enter Mo Morrison. 

Enormous. Scary. 

Quiet. 

Mo doesn’t say much, and Lottie’s used to getting attention. And she wants Mo’s attention. Badly. 

But Mo has a strict rule. If he’s guarding your body, that’s all he’s doing with it. 

However, the longer Mo has to keep Lottie safe, the faster he falls for the beautiful blonde who has it so together, she might even be able to tackle the demons he’s got in his head that just won’t die. 

But in the end, Lottie and Mo don’t only have to find some way to keep hands off until the threat is over, they have to negotiate the overprotective Hot Bunch, Lottie’s crazy stepdad, Tex, Mo’s crew of frat-boy commandos, not to mention his nutty sisters. 

All before Lottie finally gets her Dream Man. 

And Mo can lay claim to his Dream Girl. 

**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you'll enjoy each one as much as we do.**

This is both a good place to start for someone wanting to jump into a stand-alone Kristen Ashley story, but fans will also appreciate getting to visit with the Hot Bunch and the Rock Chicks. And it also sets up the new Dream series with another set of hunky commandos and brings in Mo's zany sisters.

This was easy for me to get into and felt like a comfy read. I already knew Lottie from popping up in previous books, but I really loved her strength, tenacity, and heart. She just wants a man to love and settle down with like her sister and friends. And now she is in need of protection, but her boss is afraid to call in Lee Nightingale or their cop friends since they are so close to her. So our old commando friend, Hawk saves the day by sending in a new bodyguard for her.

Mo seems to be the answer to her prayers in more ways than one. He is big, burly, quiet, and sexy. He takes his job and rep seriously and no matter how attracted he is to her, he vows to remain professional. But he is reliable, caring, thoughtful, protective, and eventually possessive. They have an easy rapport, sexual tension and chemistry just waiting to explode. But they have to make sure Lottie stays safe and then see how they could fit into each other's worlds.

This story is a longer novella and a bit quieter than the older books...there is mystery, suspense, and danger, but not the major explosions, shootings, kidnappings that were a staple in the older series. But I enjoyed the character development and the connection all of these people shared. It's got the humor, camaraderie, and strong bonds that make these characters such fan favorites. I am interested in Mo's commando friends Mag, Axl, Auggie, and Boone. They are all charismatic and seem to have their own issues. I know Lottie has some friends and she is itching to start matchmaking in the new Dream series.

Lottie Mac received a very specific threatening letter and her boss felt like she needed protection. As Eddie Chavez’s sister-in-law, the options are limited as her boss wanted to keep the threat minimized without stressing Lottie out. Contacting Hawk Delgado to get one of his commandos in seemed a more subtle play than calling either Eddie and the DPD or Lee Nightingale's men.

Lottie has never worried about her career choice. She takes care of herself, can have nice things, and is near her family. But stripping does put her in a vulnerable place, because face it, people are judgemental. But she has never had a threat quite like the current one and she doesn’t like having a crazy person after her. She has a fierce streak that she uses towards her family and the people she loves.

Mo isn’t a talker. He isn’t a man women typically find attractive, which is fine for his line of work. I loved watching this big, stoic man fall unexpectedly for his principal. The job has never come second to a person before, and watching him struggle to keep Lottie feeling safe and protected while doing his job the way he needs to had me melting for him.

This is back to a classic Rock Chick feel. Yes, the decor and fashion descriptions are detailed, but that is part of the voice that KA has developed over the years. Her heroines are very precise about their outfits and furniture choices. But it is also a fast read with a hint of suspense and characters who can kick some a**. (And for a 1001 Nights novella, this is closer to novel length, so a great deal as well!)

I had fun reading this one. Returning to the Rock Chick world, Tex’s antics, and adding Mo’s sisters to the mix kept this one moving throughout. I have read the rest of the series, but for those who haven’t, it is a great way to get a sample of KA’s storytelling and an introduction to this crazy group of characters!

From Kristen Ashley's website: 

Dream Series

This is a mashup spin-off series from my Rock Chicks and Dream Man Series. In Quiet Man, you’ll meet Mo’s four best friends. And, Lottie (from the Rock Chicks, our heroine from Quiet Man), decides they need the perfect matches. And she’s going to make them! Let the dream making commence!