GUARDING AUTUMN (Crimson Point Security 3) by Kaylea Cross-review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Google Play / Chapters Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 28, 2025

She’s guarding a big secret…

Long ago, single mom Autumn buried her feelings for the man she’s loved in secret for most of her life, knowing he’ll only ever see her as a friend. Then unexpected news blows up her entire world, leaving her in an impossible situation. If she tells him the truth, it could ruin everything between them. But she won’t be able to live with herself if she doesn’t.

And it could destroy everything.

Autumn has always been a central pillar of Gavin’s life, but their friendship isn’t enough for him anymore. He’s in love with her and wants to make a life with her. An upcoming security job finally gives him the chance he’s been waiting for, but then everything goes wrong. From the moment she arrives, she’s distant, putting up walls he’s desperate to tear down. When a planned protest spins out of control and her daughter goes missing in the fray, he finally learns her secret. As they fight against the mounting danger, a hard truth hangs between them, threatening to rip them apart forever.

•••••••

REVIEW: GUARDING AUTUMN is the third instalment in Kaylea Cross’ contemporary, adult CRIMSON POINT SECURITY erotic, romantic suspense series -a spin off from the author’s Crimson Point Protectors and Crimson Point series. This is thirty year old, marine turned security specialist Gavin Abrams, and single mother/ businesswoman Autumn Bateson’s story line. GUARDING AUTUMN can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from several omniscient third person perspectives including Autumn and Gavin GUARDING AUTUMN focuses on the rebuilding relationship between thirty year old, marine turned security specialist Gavin Abrams, and single mother/ businesswoman Autumn Bateson. Autumn Bateson was childhood best friends with Gavin Abrams, and his identical twin Tristan but approximately twelve years earlier, a one-night stand on the eve of Gavin enlisting in the Marines, found our heroine on a different path towards her future. Fast forward to present day, Autumn and her daughter Carly head to Portland for a business conference where she will reconnect with our story line hero but a last minute email sends our heroine into a spiral, and a violent demonstration will push our couple together in the face of potential loss.

The world building focuses on the lifelong friendship between Autumn, Gavin and Tristan. Gavin and Tristan are the ‘funcles’ to Autumn daughter Carly but an email is about to change their lives forever. Meanwhile, a anti-government demonstration becomes deadly and violent, and the Crimson Point Security team finds themselves desperate to protect one of their own.

The relationship between Autumn and Gavin is one of best friends to lovers, a second chance relationship between two people who have remained friends but circled one-another for several years. When the demonstration becomes dangerous and deadly, Autumn will reveal a secret that will, once again, change their entire lives. The $ex scenes are limited but intimate and passionate.

The secondary and supporting characters are energetic and familiar including the previous story line couples, and several from the original series. We are introduced to Autumn’s daughter Carly, as well as Autumn’s parents, and would-be rescuer TJ.

GUARDING AUTUMN is a story of secrets and revelations, danger and control, family and friendships, relationships and love. The character driven premise is edgy and enjoyable ; the characters are animated and real; the romance is fated and spicy.

Reading Order and Previous reviews
Guarding Teagan
Guarding Bella

Copy supplied for review

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Kaylea Cross writes edge-of-your-seat military romantic suspense. Her work has won many awards and has been nominated for both the Daphne du Maurier and the National Readers’ Choice Awards. A Registered Massage Therapist by trade, Kaylea is also an avid gardener, artist, Civil War buff, Special Ops aficionado, belly dance enthusiast and former nationally-carded softball pitcher. She lives in Vancouver, BC with her husband and family.

FOLLOW: Goodreads / Website /Twitter / Facebook / Newsletter / Bookbub / Instagram/