title: Protect Me
author: Reinhart, Kathy-Jo
description: *****This book is recommended for ages 18+ (Strong Language,Violence, Domestic Abuse, sexual content)***** Holly Anders was abandoned by her mother at birth. Growing up shuffled around from one foster home to another, she never thought she’d be loved. When she married Ray right out of high school, she thought she’d finally have the perfect fairy tale life, but it quickly turned into her worst nightmare. Finally able to find the strength, she runs as far and as fast as she can away from the nightmare, finding herself in the small town of Oakville, where she begins her new life. The last thing on Holly’s mind is dating or men. She’s not anywhere close to being ready to trust another man. Sometimes she wonders if she’ll ever be. She was damaged when she met Ray, but he broke her — maybe forever. Paul Walters spent his first sixteen years fearing his father’s beatings, but taking them in order to spare his mother from as much of the abuse as possible. When an unspeakable tragedy strikes, he leaves his hometown and heads for Los Angeles. Guilt and fear cause him to spend the next few years drowning his sorrows in booze, drugs, and random women. He refuses to allow himself to get close to anyone; the fear of becoming a monster like his father keeping him from believing a relationship with a woman is possible. Things begin to change when Paul meets Kyle and sees something in him that reminds him of himself. They quickly become friends after forming a band with two other guys. Paul realizes he’s missed being part of a family. Deciding they don’t like the path they’re on, they leave L.A. for Kyle’s hometown of Oakville. Paul is ready to start over, but he still vows never to fall in love. When Paul and Holly meet, the chemistry is undeniable. Is it possible for two people to find the courage to let someone in again after they’ve had their hearts and souls shattered by those they loved and trusted most?