The second installment of Treadgold’s Olympic Peninsula series kicks off with something of a miracle: Liam, the twin brother of The Silent Woodsman’s Ali, was presumed to have died in an explosion, but is found alive and living under a false identity in Israel. When Teresa, Ali's new sister-in-law, tracks Liam down on Ali's behalf and invites him to return home to visit his now pregnant sister, Liam feels the draw of family and leaves behind his mysterious life of undercover solitude. Though Teresa and Liam resist their attraction to each other, they constantly find themselves thrown together. Left alone in Ali's estate in the quaint coastal town of Port Townsend as she prepares for the arrival of her own twins, sparks fly between the two and they can not deny the chemistry brewing between them.

Alternating viewpoints offer readers a well-rounded, fleshed out love story fueled by family dynamics, relationship drama, and heartfelt character interactions between lovers and siblings. Though at times repetitive in character descriptions (Liam is forever the "overprotective" big brother) the plot moves at a rapid pace, and romance readers will find the characters relatable and entertaining. As Teresa finds herself in life-threatening situations and facing surprising attacks, Liam becomes an accidental guardian. The intrigue and mystery that Liam adds to the story creates intriguing tension, propelling the narrative forward and building a searing anticipation for the sparks to ignite.

Teresa has no shortage of suitors—from her maybe fiancé to her handsome yoga instructor—throughout their "courtship," but the banter and mutual draw between her and Liam jumps from the page. The Guardsman is a light read that will make romance readers swoon. As more of Liam's back story is explained and Teresa's brushes with death become too frequent to be considered coincidence, the tension keeps building and their bond deepens, all leading up to climatic and satisfying conclusion.

Takeaway: Light, mystery-shrouded romance that creates a page-turning anticipation.

Comparable Titles: Jill Shalvis’s Lucky Harbor series, Talia Hibbert’s Guarding Temptation.

Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A