Guarding Autumn

Crimson Point Security #3

by Kaylea Cross

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.

Genres: Romantic Suspense, Friends To Lovers, Second Chance, Military Romance

273 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 28, 2025

About the author

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Kaylea Cross writes edge-of-your-seat military romantic suspense. Her work has won many awards, including the Daphne du Maurier, HOLT Medallion, and the National Readers Choice Awards. A former Registered Massage Therapist, Kaylea holds a BA in anthropology and history from UBC, and a MSc in Human Bioarchaeology and Paleopathology from Durham University. She’s also an avid gardener, artist, baker, osteology geek, novice rower, history buff, humpback whale enthusiast, and former nationally-carded softball pitcher. She lives in Vancouver, BC with her husband and rescue pets.
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Reviews

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

At eighteen a woman can be very dumb. One night stand with her best friend, Gavin, before he goes off to bootcamp, then a week later so hooks up with a guy and all she knows is his name, turns up pregnant and assumes the kid belongs to the nameless loser. Now, twelve years later she discovers through the wonders of DNA testing that Gavin is the father of Carly and she can't bring herself to finally tell him. Autumn is not only dumb but a coward. Autumn and Carly call Gavin and his siblings family. I just can't understand why in twelve years Autumn didn't once question who Carly's father was. And Carly has Gavin's red hair! It is a good thing that Cross is the Queen of the Action Scene because otherwise this book would have been a complete waste of time.

Autumn finds herself in an impossible situation and knows she has to come clean to Gavin Abrams about what she discovered while Carly was doing research for a school project. This planned work trip to Portland with a side trip to visit the Abrams family in Crimson Point will be the perfect time to tell them all, if she can work up her courage. She has always loved Gavin, and she knows he loves her too, as a sister at least. she just doesn't want this news to destroy that.

The situation goes from bad to worse in Portland when the conference Gavin is providing security for is attacked by thousands of violent rioters and the nearby hotel where Autumn and Carly are staying is set on fire. Separated in the turmoil, Carly is lost and Autumn desperately needs Gavin to find their daughter.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Guarding Autumn - Crimson Point Security Book 3 by Kaylea Cross

Kaylea has crafted another winning well written read for this series. Gavin and Autumn have known each other since they were five years old and were each other’s first at eighteen. Although they always kept in touch, their lives took on very different paths, one military and the other as a single parent to a very precocious daughter named Carly. Autumn has come to town on business and Gavin is certain there are things she’s not telling him. Soon work for each of them gets in the way and as the drama and danger unfolds, the unthinkable happens and Autumn has no choice but to divulge the secret she’s been keeping at the worst possible time. Will this secret be the end of Gavin and Autumn or does it offer an opportunity for a happily ever after that they clearly both want?
Thanks to the author for a chance to read and review her work.

[Phe · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

[Shelley C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gavin and Autumn😍

Guarding Autumn is the next book in the Crimson Point Security series and launches us right back to this small town and its beloved characters❣️Gavin and his twin, Tristan, have taken jobs at CPS and have a big job coming up. Before they leave though, Autumn and her daughter are set to arrive in town. Gavin has made a very important decision in regards to his relationship with Autumn, but when she arrives, she’s not her “usual” self.

Autumn has just discovered something quite unsettling before she arrives in Crimson Point…will this change everything in her life and how will this affect the future? This story was intense and I had to have a couple breaks while reading as it had me on the edge of my seat, quite literally😳 But it’s so nice to be back in the Crimson Point world and I can’t wait to see who is up next. I loved the ending☺️ I received an advanced copy and willingly leave my honest review❤️‍🩹

[Sandy S · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25stars-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.

Copy supplied for review

[Jo Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

GUARDING AUTUMN by KALEA CROSS 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Guarding Autumn is the third (3rd) book in the ‘Crimson Point Security’ series by Kaylea Cross.

When Gavin realises the platonic feelings he has for his childhood best friend have progressed into more he is determined to tell her. He’s due to work security at an event Autumn is attending with her daughter and hopes to move things forward there.
When Autumn arrives however, she appears aloof and seems to be avoiding him, and whilst he’s determined to find out why she’s distancing herself, he also has his hands full with his current job.

When events explode and lives are at risk, secrets are unavoidably revealed that make the situation all the more dire. Can Gavin find Autumn and her daughter before it’s too late?


-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

The author has taken a short break from writing to pursue other interests so I was interested to see how this new book would stand up against her previous work. I have to say I was not disappointed! Guarding Autumn easily meets the standard of Ms Cross’s previous releases.

The dynamic between Gavin and Autumn is lovely. The progression of their relationship isn’t forced and is beautifully written and believable. The action scenes literally had my heart racing and I was anxious to see how the plot developed. There are cameos from Kaylea’s previous books which was nice to see and some hints about characters for future books were welcome. Kaylea really has the ability to make the reader engage with her characters and you find yourself willing them to succeed. The book is a nice length and the pace of the story fits well. Sometimes books can be predictable and you can guess what is going to happen at certain points but this isn’t the case with this book. At times things happened I wasn’t expecting and that’s refreshing.

Whilst this is the third book in the series I believe you can read it as a standalone without it affecting your enjoyment of this book and I totally recommend this book. Enjoy!😊

I read an ARC copy of this book - all thoughts and comments are my own.

[bookishWife · Rating 1 out of 5]

Generally I love the author's book. But this one is really... just no. Gavin and Autumn, both horrible person and twisted!

Gavin, I don't get his standing. Has he been in love with Autumn for a long time or it's just a sudden thing? Sometimes he implied that he has a crush since forever, the other said he didn't have any feeling until he's out from military. Not to mention this is so sudden and he just decide "you're mine!" just like that? After years giving no implication he's interested beyond friendship? Oh what a twisted man. Plus the shitty way he talk about not wanting to have kids and saying shit things about being a father.. He didn't know about the test. Still, he's not supposed to say something like that in front of a single mother who supposedly left by a man when she got pregnant and her daughter that he know has no father figure.

Autumn... Well she did the right thing by wanting to tell Gavin the truth. But seriously, she's all over the place. I get that you're single mother, but you know that there's a lurking danger (even it's far away blah blah) around your daughter and yet you choose not to send your daughter with trained military just because. Seriously? And is nobody gonna talk about how she left her 12 y.o (underage) daughter alone in hotel room, which this I don't mind, but WITHOUT cellphone or talk about what should she did when there's an emergency? Come on, Lady! Your presentation might be only for a while, and you have this so called "secret code". But why don't you gave her a phone just for the emergency occasion?! You knew she'll be alone! You should tell her if by some crazy things happened and there's an emergency, go directly downstairs and find some meeting point or whatever. People should called CPS, not the Crimson Point one, but Child Protective one. My head hurt so much from the stupidity of people in this book.

[Nikki Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gavin and Autumn have been friends since they were kids. Her parents pretty much adopted him and his twin when their home life took a downward spiral. But just before he left to enlist in the Marines, they had one night which changed everything.

They've remained in each others lives, always there when the other needed them but always with that little bit of distance between them. Her daughter regards Gavin and Tristan as her uncles and he was wary of ever wanting more than that. He could do irreparable damage to their relationship or worse, complete screw up the life of her daughter, after all he didn't have the greatest role models.

Now he's free of his Marine commitment and he's made a bis decision - no more procrastinating - it's time to see if this attraction is one sided or if they could actually have a future as a family. They just have to get through a local summit, a demonstration and a close to home trauma.

These two really are right person/wrong time. The love and attraction was always there, just neither of them had the bandwidth to face the possible rejection. Autumn feels so much easier at her big revelation knowing that Gavin had already wanted to make a family with her and Carly. The wider, extended family at CPS all take it in their stride and they love having another couple of family members.

The interwoven suspense with the dissatisfied demonstrators, the enigmatic TJ and the danger Carly finds herself in was brilliantly paced and I loved trying to figure out of TJ was going to be a good goy or a bad guy! It's great getting to see all my favourite previous couples and even the odd mention of characters from other series. The romance is spicy and intense but not over the top.

[Woodatsi]

Guarding Autumn is the third book in the Crimson Point Security series, a book packed with action, romance and indestructible friendships.

Gavin and Autumn have known each other since they were 5 years old. He and his twin brother Tristan have always had a close friendship with her but Gavin has always had a crush on her, leading to one night of passion right before Gavin leaving for boot camp. Both went to have different careers, Gavin joining up as a Marines and now working at CPS and Autumn working for a firm while taking care of her daughter Carly as a single mom.

When Gavin and his team have a big assignment coming up, he gets the chance to meet up with Autumn who's coming to the same place to join and head up a conference. He's set on finally telling her he wants more than just friendship but right before the journey over though Autumn has found out some important news which leads her to act weird around Gavin.

When events take a horrible turn due to riot in the city and Carly gets lost in the throng of people, Autumn is forced to divulge her news to Gavin. Both Gavin and his team set out to find Carly while trying to come to terms with the news he's just received.

This was a fast paced story full of action and twists and turns. I loved how the relationship between Autumn and Gavin turned from dancing around each other for years to finally giving in to their feelings.

We see characters from previous books and are being introduced to news ones who'll be getting their own story.

Guarding Autumn was another great entry in what is becoming one of my favorite series and I'm already looking forward to the next one.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guarding Autumn by Kaylea Cross is a great read! I love a book that doesn't confuse me with too many characters doing different things, has a strong plot and sucks me in.

Autumn and Gavin have been friends for almost ever, and she doesn't want to do anything to ruin that friendship. Truths need to be told, but it's not easy for Autumn. When crisis happens though, the truth must come out. If they get through it, will their relationship survive?

I loved reading this. Guarding Autumn felt like it could be real, from the relationships to the danger. It showed the bad side of people and the good side. People that could be real. I liked how at times it was written from different viewpoints of various characters in the story, I felt like I could understand them more and felt more like I was there.

The relationship evolution between Gavin and Autumn as the main plot worked well. To be honest Autumn for some reason irritated me at times but that really only added to the story and she grew on me. The interactions with all of the other characters really deepened the story.

A lot of what I got and what I felt from this story could easily be translated into real life. What it reminded me of the most is that there are a lot of really good people out there who care and will help, even in the midst of chaos and danger. My heart felt full.

I can't wait for the next book in this series!

Advanced copy received for honest review.

[Whispers From · Rating 5 out of 5]

Autumn and Gavin have known each other and been friends since kindergarten. At eighteen, Gavin joined the Marines and only saw Autumn every once in a while. Now Gavin works for Crimson Point Security along with his brothers. Autumn lives in Kentucky with her twelve year old daughter. Her daughter Carly took a DNA test and the results came in right before they left for Portland. Autumn is doing a presentation and Carly is going with her so she can see Gavin and his family. The results shock Autumn and she knows she has to tell him but she’s unsure of how he’ll take it. While in Portland, a protest erupts and chaos ensues. Their hotel catches fire and they are evacuated but Carly is up in the room and they won’t let Autumn back up. A coworker goes to get her and brings her down but they get separated. Carly is lost in the crowd and Autumn is frantic. Gavin is there with his company to provide protection for some VIPs. She finds Gavin and tells him Autumn is missing and Gavin and his brothers go looking for her. Will the truth tear Gavin and Autumn apart?
I believe this is my favorite one so far. Lots of action and serious heart pounding parts. I stopped reading because it was intense and I was afraid what was going to happen next. Friends to lovers. Secrets. I can’t wait for the next book in this series.

* VOLUNTARILY READ AND REVIEWED FOR THE AUTHOR *

[Jane Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was absolutely delighted and honoured when I was given an advance copy of Kaylea's latest book. If you have followed and read all her books to date, or if this is your introduction to Kaylea's World you will not be disappointed.

In this book we follow the developing relationship of Gavin and Autumn. Aside from one night just before Gavin left for Boot Camp, they have been the best of friends. After taking up a new job on the otherside of the county, Gavin was delighted when Autumn, along with her daughter, decided to combine a visit with a business conference.

Just before heading out to the airport Autumn received a life changing email. Needing time to process it Autumn tries to carry on like nothing has happened.

During her visit, Gavin finally realised that his feelings for Autumn is more than just friendship and tries to work out how he can get Autumn to take a chance on him. Unfortunately before he can make any headway with Autumn, her daughter goes missing when things at the conference takes a turn for the worse. As a result Autumn has no choice but tell Gavin about the contents of the email in order to help find her little girl, and prayers that she hasn't made a mistake in trying to get her daughter back home safely.

[NICUnurse Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a long-time fan of romantic suspense books and Kaylea Cross. She writes edge-of-your-seat romantic thrillers I can’t seem to stop devouring. She’s on the short list of authors I 1-click without reading a blurb. With Guarding Autumn, she takes us back to Crimson Point with an edge-of-your-seat romantic suspense. (Technically, all the action takes place outside Crimson Point, but our favorite seaside town in the Pacific Northwest is the focal point.) It’s the next book in another Crimson Point spinoff, Crimson Point Security, and you’d better believe I’m here for all of them! You *can* read it as a standalone title; however, some crossover characters and references to a previous storyline might confuse you, so I recommend reading them in order. Honestly, I can’t help but encourage you to read all the Crimson Point books before this one because they are just that good. This book was suspenseful, emotional, and action-packed: the perfect trifecta. This story had even more action than previous books she’s written more recently, and, man, was it intense! As usual, I didn’t want to walk away from it until I finished. Guarding Autumn is one more reason, added to the already numerous reasons, that Kaylea Cross is a top favorite of mine!

NICUnurse’s Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Lisa Gibbons · Rating 5 out of 5]

After what feels like quite a while, it was so nice to step back into the idyllic seaside town of Crimson Point and reconnect with the many characters I feel like I know personally after devouring every book in every Crimson Point series so far. I was looking forward to reading more into Gavin and Autumn’s story and I liked that there was no fluffing around with the character’s connection (this always bugs me in romance novels, where they drag out the push and pull between protagonists just a little too much and you just end up wanting to shake them by the shoulders and tell them to talk to each other already!) - in the build up to Gav and Autumn’s story in the last book I wondered instantly about Carly’s place in their story and it was everything I had hoped it would be. Some predictability but overall a surprisingly unpredictable plot which kept me turning the pages and going for “just one more chapter” time and time again. Once again Kaylea has developed characters I would just LOVE to have as friends in real life, and I’m looking forward to seeing what is in store for Cassie and Tristan as well as where TJ’s story goes. Thank you for the ARC, it was another fabulous read! 5 stars from me ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Yvonne Cruz · Rating 4 out of 5]

We are back on the West coast as the members of Crimson Point Security, find love. This time it’s Gavin who gets his story.
When he was 5 years old, he met sweet Autumn. The girl that became his friend and the same one who knew he was in need of comfort. Always being his beacon in life.
The night of the prom the dynamics might have changed, but he went on to bootcamp and she was left behind. But their friendship continued , even after she had a daughter who everyone loves, including Gavin and his twin, Tristan, who act as the young girl’s “uncles”.
Gavin has decided that now that Autumn is coming to Portland with Carly , he needs to confess his love. But plans go haywire when a riot develops, going out of control and in the midst of the danger Carly is lost in the mob.
Can Gavin rescue Carly? Will revelations change the dynamics of all involved? In the end, will Gavin and Autumn get their HEA?
Though this reader is partial to the previous stories, this one was still engaging and entertaining, with well developed characters. Thus a good addition to the series.
I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

[Ann C. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Normally I like the books by Kaylea Cross. However, I found this book to be boring. I did a lot of skimming and skipping of pages to finish it.

I found it hard to believe that Autumn would not know who Carley's father was. If everyone else could look at Carly and see Gavin, why couldn't she? Yes, she did sleep with someone else just a few days after sleeping with Gavin. So, I guess it was the easy way out to think the other guy was the father.

Carly had nicknames for Gavin and Tristan, Gavvy and Trissy. I thought this was ridiculous and juvenile. Carly was 12 years old, she could use their proper names. Furthermore, I would think it would be embarrassing for all 3.

Gavin offered to have Carly taken back to Crimson Point before the riots. Me, being a mother, would have jumped at the chance to have my child taken out of harm's way. Frankly, I am not sure that I would have even let Carly go to Portland. After all, she just set in her hotel room while her mother was working. With the planned riots, there would have been no sight seeing. But, in order for the story to progress, Carly had to stay in Portland.

Not a good read for me.

[Reading In the Red Room · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing book in this addictive series! Autumn is a single mother of an adorable daughter and has a secret or two. Gavin has loved Autumn for a very long time. But between the military and her family being his found family there were a few lines he didn’t want to cross…until now. When Autumn comes to town for business she gets some news she wants to share with Gavin, how will this go over?! Gavin has some talking he wants to do himself…he wants out of the friend zone once and for all. But before anyone can have any deep conversations, there is some danger lurking around…this is a Kaylea Cross book after all! We need some suspenseful danger to look forward too. This was an intense story with a lot going on. Characters who clearly loved each other but needed to figure out how to be upfront and honest about how they truly felt. One thing I love about Kaylea’s books is how she tells the stories from all sides even the morally gray ones. I’m really enjoying this series and I’m extremely excited about the next book coming up.

[Imogen Dior · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve devoured everything Kaylea Cross i can get my hands on but just like she said in the start of the book, i was a bit unsure about this one because she used a trope i don’t usually read. However, because i love her work i was determined to at least give it a go and i’m so glad i did! There was no dumb excuses and it was just genuinely done very well. I loved both main characters and thought Gavin and Autumn had such a brilliant foundation that they were built on. I adored Carly, she was such a strong little girl and had amazing individual relationships with all of the characters in this book. Both Gavin and Autumn were awesome characters too. I loved their chemistry, their relationship with one another and how it progresses and their relationships with their family and friends. I loved the core suspense/action in this book and found it very well done and super realistic. I can’t wait to see more of this family, this series and these characters in book 4!

[Linda Carlson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gavin & Autumn

What a sweet, intense, and heartwarming story! Full of deep and emotional subjects that hit all the feels. I absolutely love the idea of Autumn not realizing Carly’s real father until now. How she finds out makes the whole revelation bittersweet.

I love a story where the characters all have such a wonderful history together. In this case, Autumn’s history with Gavin and Tristan’s family might have been filled with turmoil for the twins and their siblings, but having that close family history is still a golden treasure of their heart.

A situation of chaos and dangerous security issues ramps up the intensity of this story prompting Autumn to disclose the truth to Carly’s father which involves a life or death scenario.

Fantastic story full of angst, danger, with a serious and horrifying mob action situation. An underlying everlasting love story to encompass an entire family. I love this!

[KaylaJane]

DNF.

MCs were each other's first. At age 18, they had sex right before he left to join the marines and lost their virginity to one another but heroine got drunk and had unprotected sex with OM 3 days later. For 13 yrs, she thought the baby was OM's and never bothered to do a DNA test. In the present, her 12 yr old does some sort of DNA test on her own and she finally gets a clue that her daughter is H's. MCs were childhood sweethearts and the story could have been great especially as all the side characters are really great but her having a ONS with OM especially when she supposedly was in love with H and so fast, was a no for me. Also, as I was reading the explanation, I didn't feel she was regretful. She came across more like indifferent to the fact she hurt H.

* Only skim-read to see what the big "secret" was so don't have safety info if H was celibate too but I assume not as it's been 13 yrs.

[Melissa May · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guarding Autumn is the third installment in the Crimson Point Security series.
I have been waiting anxiously for a new book by Kaylea Cross because she took some time off from writing, but it was really worth waiting for!
It was so good to be back in the Crimson Point world and meet up with previous characters and meet new characters.
This is Gavin and Autumn’s story and it’s very well written!
I was a bit anxious if I would like it because it’s a trope I usually avoid reading but I should have known that Kaylea Cross knows how to write a great book.
I absolutely loved it!!
It’s a friends to lovers romance and a suspenseful plot.
It’s about friendship, love, secrets and family.
Already looking forward to read the next book in the series.
I received this arc from the author and this review is my honest opinion.

[Jenn O'Leary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Guarding Autumn is a fast paced romantic suspense.
Autumn & Gavin have been close friends since they were little.
They spend one night together before Gavin leaves to join the Marines.
Autumn is a strong, single mom to 12 year old Carly and has always loved Gavin.
Gavin recently took a job with Crimson Point Security, and is excited when Autumn and Carly plan to come visit when she's going to be close by for work.
Before leaving for their trip, Autumn receives some surprising news and isn't sure how to process it.
Gavin has realized his feelings for Autumn are more than friendship and plans to confess when she visits. Except when she gets off the plane, it seems like something is bothering her.
This was an exciting read full of action, suspense and some amazing characters. I am looking forward to the rest of the series.

[Vanessa LeBlanc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Autumn and Gavin are both 17 and in love with one another but will not admit it to each other. They go out to live very separate life but still very much remain friends. Fast forward to their now adult life and their feelings for one another still hasn’t changed however their lives had. Unknown facts are revealed and unexpected danger may jeopardize the future they so desperately want.

I adored this story so much. It was an easy read, the story fell together very well and it kept me captivated until the end.

The author said this trope is not one of her favourite but she nailed at writing it. Well done bravo.

Friends to lovers ✔️
Unexpected pregancy ✔️
Alpha hero ✔️
Mine ✔️
Security/military ✔️

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🔥🔥

[KS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing story.

Autumn and Gavin were best friends growing up and shared one special night together before he joined the Marines. They’ve maintained their friendship over the years, but now Gavin is ready for more. Only problem is that Autumn received some unexpected news right before they are to meet again which has thrown her for a loop.

To be honest, it took a bit too long to get to the secret as it wasn’t very clear how it came about, so that part was frustrating. I did love Carly (the daughter) and her special relationship with Gavin and his siblings.

Drama unfolds which forces Autumn to blurt out the secret. It wrapped up a little quickly after that, but it was overall an intriguing storyline. Just not a favorite of mine.

I voluntarily requested and read an advance reader copy.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a brilliant read.
Autumn and Gavin have been friends since childhood but only crossed the line the night before he left to join the Marines.
12 years later and Gavin knows that he wants more from Autumn and loves her daughter as his own.
Autumn receives some news just before they meet and knows that she needs to tell Gavin.
While at a conference the crowds are growing and getting violent but what happens when Autumn's daughter gets caught up in it.
Will they be able to find her safe and when the truth comes out will they get their hea.
A must read with plenty of drama and suspense but also so much love.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.

[Dawn Cruikshank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guarding Autumn

Wow! Another FANTASTIC story by Kaylea! This story is about Autumn, Carly and Gavin. The beginning was kind of sad since Gavin was leaving. Their joining each other for a one night stand resulted in Carly. It just took way too many years for Gavin to find out about that one night stand. The time in Portland was definitely scary and intense but glad everyone was safe. So happy that these two finally made it back to each other and started their happy ending. Gotta love Gavin's twin, Tristan. Can't wait for his story. FANTASTIC job Kaylea! I would highly recommend this book!

[Debbie Tinder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gavin and Autumn have been friends forever. When Gavin decides to join the marines, one night of shared passion before he ships out results in a secret that Autum has never shared with him. Work brings their paths crossing again and Autumn struggles with the need to share her secret with Gavin and the fear that revealing her secret may change everything. Will they get their HEA? Or will it change everything when Gavin learns the truth? An emotional, action-packed story that will pull you in from page one. Kaylea Cross is a master at Romantic Suspense!

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Kaylea Cross for the ARC.

I enjoyed reading Guarding Autumn, it's the third installment in the Crimson Point Security series. This story follows Gavin and Autumn and Autumn tween daughter.

There's action and suspense and appearances with Gavin's family. Autumn's decade long secret comes out and in the end everything works out. I was a bit surprised that no one had questioned the daughter's red hair or if there were any family resemblances.

Overall, I did like the book and thanks again Kaylea Cross.

[Michelle Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven’t caught up with Crimison Point in awhile so started with this book. One of the twins, There is Gavin and Tristan and this is Gavin’s book. Gavin has a best friend named Autumn, now that he works for CPS he has discovered he has big feelings for her….In between all this there are riots, Autumns daughter is lost and there is a huge secret that is discovered. Definitely a page turner, really enjoyed getting into this series again. This book is a standalone but has other stories within in the series.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it better than I thought I would. I love this town and all of the characters in the previous books.
I liked the H and h and the h daughter. I loved how protective and sweet the H was with the h and her daughter.


Safety
SWE. No ow/OM drama. It doesn’t really go into details about past partners. You do know that after the H and h sleep together the night before he leaves for the military. About a week after she gets drunk and sleeps with someone else. I wasn’t mad about any of this. It didn’t bother me for some reason. 🤷🏻‍♀️