Unbroken (The Protectors, Book 12)

Another excellent addition to The Protectors series, it was with some relief to know that finally, finally, Aleks was going to get a chance to love and be loved, and get his HEA.It must be noted that this book deals with some of the worst of society and the most innocent. It comes with a pretty serious trigger warning that should be heeded if the warning rings any bells for you. There is an HEA however and the journey towards this HEA includes vengence, revenge and redemption.I loved how Aleks is able to heal through action; yes there is hesitancy at first but as he begins to realise his own strengths, it's a beautiful thing to to watch him flourish, from making decisions about his participation in certain dangerous situations through to taking the initiative with intimacy with Vaughn. 'Unbroken' is a great descriptor of both Aleks and this book.The revelation of what Vaughn has been doing brings a sense of relief - his redemption comes slowly, as he emerges out of the dregs of society he's been enmeshed with - his steps to protect Aleks at any cost is admirable. I was appreciative of his softly, softly approach to Aleks and his deep-seeded desire to keep Aleks safe both in body and mind, at all times.I'll be honest, I was a little uncomfortable initially with how quickly Aleks was ready for more in intimate relations with Vaughn.  HOWEVER, this is not real life, this is fiction and timelines do not matter in the grand scheme of their romance - there is also a longer history between them than in the immediacy of this book. In terms of the story, the timeline fit so I was able to suspend my disbelief and go along comfortably on their journey.  Some may find this aspect of their relationship uncomfortable in light of their history but remember, it's been two years since Aleks was rescued and much has happened in this time (& even happened between the pair prior).Overall this is a great romance. It reveals itself organically and in a way, in spite of all situations, circumstances and history between the two MCs, feels real and not contrived. Unbroken is a great addition to this series and it was with a sense of great satisfaction to come to its end knowing Aleks was safe and loved, as was Vaughn. Recommended.

I've been following the Protectors since I got hooked on Book 1, Absolution. These books are the sort that, if you stick with them, you start to recognize recurring elements and themes -- some of them good and even necessary to make a series worthwhile, others that can be tiring and predictable. However, even the predictable elements lend long-term readers another advantage, in that once you get comfortable and think you know what's coming next, the story can turn it on its head and give you a genuine surprise.The last book to do just that in this series was Book 8, Redemption. This is the second book in the Protectors series to give me a wonderful surprise, just when I thought I had this series pinned down to a predictable turn of events. It's also the first one to bring together SO many of the characters from the previous books, use them at JUST the right time, and provide a very satisfying climax and resolution.If you were a reader of this series who came (pun intended) for the sex scenes and romances, this might be a little disappointing, but it makes up for the relative lack of smut with a poignant, even intelligent portrayal of recovery from long-term trauma and resolution of a long-standing recurring plot device of the human trafficking underworld. It's the first time that the stories not only reward the reader for their emotional investment with the characters, but also their intellectual investment with following the mysteries, keeping track of the skills and lives of the agents in Ronan Grisham's organization, and the connections that bind them all.If you thought that these books might be running out of steam or nearing a close, pick it up -- and buckle up, because Sloane Kennedy's family of legal and vigilante watchmen is only going to get bigger.

I realize this series is called The Protectors, but do all of the stories have to be about sexually abused children and sex trafficking? Quite frankly its gotten tiring. It's at the point where if you've read one book in this series you've read them all. All the action takes place within just a few weeks, sometimes only days. The rescuer (always an older male) and their rescuee (always a younger male, sometimes barely legal) fall in love within days. In this case, young Aleks has barely caught his breath from being rescued from sex traffickers when he's suddenly thrust back into the whole sordid mess. He's had no psychological counseling and he doesn't cope with "normal" life. He's almost childlike and certainly NOT ready for a mature adult relationship! I fell skeeved out by Vaughn/James and his relationship. It felt almost as creepy as what Aleks came from. Aleks needed some serious therapy before anyone should have been allowed to approach that boy with any kind of romantic interest. It was too creepy. This whole series follows a basic outline where the abused, broken boy feels bonded to the one who rescued him, they fall in love, find some kid to adopt along the way, wedding bells can be heard in the distance, HEA, The End. It's been this way for 12 books! This thing is, Kennedy writes interesting characters. Unfortunately, they all come from the same few molds. I expect Luca (the older Alpha male) and Remy/Billy (the younger, slightly effeminate male) to fall into the same pattern in the next book. Sloane, please prove me wrong!!!

THIS THIS THIS ALL THE THIS'SSSSSS!!! Honestly this series has me wrapped around it's beautiful book finger! I just honest to goodness love it!!! We're on book 12 with no sign of it slowing down. Every story is different. Every book is unique. EVERY BOOK IS ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS!!We're onto Aleks' story. If you've read the rest of the series you'll know we met him in Dante's book. Aleks was rescued by his brother from a man who had brought him as a pet. Aleks was first taken when he was just a child. Years and years of abuse has taken it's toll on him. He thinks he's a coward. He's scared of everything even making choices. He's doing all he can to be "normal" again and make his brother proud. He's always loved flowers and is working in a flower shop. One night he stays open late for a regular customer. He's late for his bus and in his rush he forgets to be careful. He doesn't see the danger till it's too late. He's kidnapped again. The only way he knows how to cope is to go into his own head again. But someone spoils the kidnappers plot. A face from the past Aleks shouldn't trust.Vaughn helped to rescue Aleks two years ago. From afar he's been looking out for him ever since. Aleks now needs him again. Vaughn rescues Aleks not only because there is something about him that he's drawn to but he also has his own agenda. One Aleks knows nothing about.Can Aleks trust the man who worked for his former owner? Can Vaughn make Aleks trust him?This story just has it all. It's so well put together it's un-put-downable! I know that's not a word but it's the only way to describe it! I started reading... i cooked reading it... i went to the loo reading it... i went to sleep thinking about it... i woke up and started again! Brilliant!!At first you do think that Aleks is truly broken. He's a wreck! But as the story goes on he grows from strength to strength. Being put back actually helps him to move forward. He's so lovely i shed a few tears for him. But i was so damn proud of him by the end!!Vaughn had his own set of problems. The opposite of Aleks you think at first he's a strong confident man. But as the story goes on he becomes vulnerable and nearly as broken as Aleks. But they're not broken i like to think they just needed each other. The most beautiful side of Vaughn was his patience with Aleks. There is nothing he wouldn't wait for Aleks to choose. There is no time he'd force him to do anything he wasn't ready for. I just loved him.Their relationship was perfect. I loved it. It had to be a slow burn because of Aleks past but that just made it all the sweeter, all the more amazing.The story was heartbreaking but also empowering. The writing made you feel everything the characters did. Every heartbreak. Every joy. Every sexy time burned you up even when it was just a kiss!The supporting characters as usual were just as intriguing. Some we've met before such as Dante and Magnus and Ronan and several of the others, including little Matty!! I so loved seeing him!! Then there were new ones, Vaughn's brother Luca and their brothers by choice King, Con and Lex who we haven't met but he certainly has my attention! I nearly pissed my pants when at the end i found out they're to get a spin off series!!! ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh EXCITED!!!!!!I Can't recommend this author and this series highly enough! I can guarantee you will fall in love with this huge wonderful family that Sloane has created.5 For the Love of Grits stars!!

4.25 stars. A dark and difficult read as far as the sex trafficking of young boys and girls is concerned, but so glad Aleks was finally rescued by Vaughn...or should I say James. Loved the little catch up with Matty, Leo and the rest of the Protectors. We have yet another spin-off series coming from Sloane, the first of which will feature Luca [James brother] and Remy.Left to me, the traffickers would be faced with two choices ...a suicide pill for an agonisingly painful but very slow death [preferable] or perhaps the more cost effective method would be just to dump them all on island somewhere in the middle of nowhere with no way of escaping. Death really is too good for them.....

I’ve been waiting for this book about Dante’s baby brother to cone out, and it was everything I could have hoped for, to the point that I read it in one go, finishing it at 2.50 in the morning. Alecks really got to me with all he suffered, but Vaughan stole my heart. The way he was trying to please all, and his absolute devotion to Alecks is to die for. Looking forward to reading Remy’s story as I’m sure it will blow my mind.

Unbroken is completely and utterly brilliant and one of my favourites in The Protectors Series. It managed to be heartbreaking, brilliant and funny all at the same time. It probably sounds weird me saying this book was funny given the subject matter, but Dante getting called MawMaw gets me every time! Aleks was such a beautiful character and I really hope there's more to come from him in future books.

Yet another 5star book from Sloane Kennedy and a brilliant addition to the protectors series this book will have you tied up in knots and and take you on an emotional rollercoaster as aleks comes to terms with his years of abuse and been taken again by the one man he trusted Vaughn. A definite must read a well deserved rating just keep the tissues handy