🛡️ Protective Hero

A love interest whose fierce, sometimes overwhelming instinct is to shield the person they care about from harm. Readers are drawn to the intensity of devotion these characters embody — tenderness wrapped in an iron will.

Offside

by Avery Keelan

She kissed her ex's hockey rival for revenge. He refused to be just a rebound.

3.80

101k+

⚔️ Enemies To Lovers 🏒 College Hockey 🔥 Slow Burn 💔 Angsty Romance 😈 Revenge Romance

Offside

She kissed her ex's hockey rival for revenge. He refused to be just a rebound.

by Avery Keelan 2019

3.80

101k+ ratings

⚔️ Enemies To Lovers 🏒 College Hockey 🔥 Slow Burn 💔 Angsty Romance 😈 Revenge Romance

Secret Haven

by Catherine Cowles • 2025

A social worker proposes a fake marriage to her ex-foster brother to save his three half-sisters.

4.46

30k+

🔗 Marriage Of Convenience 💔 Second Chance Romance 🏠 Found Family 👫 Friends To Lovers 💭 Shared Trauma

Secret Haven

A social worker proposes a fake marriage to her ex-foster brother to save his three half-sisters.

by Catherine Cowles 2025

4.46

30k+ ratings

🔗 Marriage Of Convenience 💔 Second Chance Romance 🏠 Found Family 👫 Friends To Lovers 💭 Shared Trauma

Even When I'm Gone

by Nicole Fiorina • 2019

His medication stole his emotions; now she’s facing a killer with a boy who feels nothing.

4.16

11k+

💌 Second Chance Romance 💔 Tortured Hero 🩹 Scarred Heroine 🗣️ Dual Pov 🌑 Dark And Emotional

Even When I'm Gone

His medication stole his emotions; now she’s facing a killer with a boy who feels nothing.

by Nicole Fiorina 2019

4.16

11k+ ratings

💌 Second Chance Romance 💔 Tortured Hero 🩹 Scarred Heroine 🗣️ Dual Pov 🌑 Dark And Emotional

Shielding Lily

by Alexa Riley • 2016

A wounded new girl plans to stay invisible. The quarterback who sees her makes other plans.

3.95

10k+

🏫 High School Romance 💘 Insta Love 💔 Wounded Heroine 🏠 Found Family 👥 Dual Pov

Shielding Lily

A wounded new girl plans to stay invisible. The quarterback who sees her makes other plans.

by Alexa Riley 2016

3.95

10k+ ratings

🏫 High School Romance 💘 Insta Love 💔 Wounded Heroine 🏠 Found Family 👥 Dual Pov

Pretend You're Mine

by Lucy Score • 2015

Broke and stranded, she agrees to fake-date a soldier who buried his heart with his wife.

4.22

110k+

🏘️ Small Town Romance 🤝 Fake Dating 🖤 Wounded Hero 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Found Family 🪖 Military Romance

Pretend You're Mine

Broke and stranded, she agrees to fake-date a soldier who buried his heart with his wife.

by Lucy Score 2015

4.22

110k+ ratings

🏘️ Small Town Romance 🤝 Fake Dating 🖤 Wounded Hero 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Found Family 🪖 Military Romance

Smoky Darling

by S.J. Tilly • 2023

A teacher's camping trip with her childhood crush turns dangerous when a stalker closes in.

3.94

25k+

💌 Childhood Crush 🏕️ Forced Proximity 🏡 Small Town ⏳ Age Gap 🔥 Slow Burn

Smoky Darling

A teacher's camping trip with her childhood crush turns dangerous when a stalker closes in.

by S.J. Tilly 2023

3.94

25k+ ratings

💌 Childhood Crush 🏕️ Forced Proximity 🏡 Small Town ⏳ Age Gap 🔥 Slow Burn

The Stars are on Our Side

by Jennifer Hartmann • 2024

A kidnapping survivor must trust her friend's love when a debt collector threatens her daughter.

4.21

17k+

🕰️ Slow Burn 💕 Friends To Lovers 👩‍👧 Single Mother 🔄 Second Chance Love 😭 High Angst

The Stars are on Our Side

A kidnapping survivor must trust her friend's love when a debt collector threatens her daughter.

by Jennifer Hartmann 2024

4.21

17k+ ratings

🕰️ Slow Burn 💕 Friends To Lovers 👩‍👧 Single Mother 🔄 Second Chance Love 😭 High Angst

Roses and Skulls

by L.M. Terry • 2023

A mute, scarred MC princess is drawn to her childhood protector, but a rival's obsession threatens.

4.47

3k+

🏍️ Biker Romance 🖤 Dark Contemporary 💞 Friends To Lovers 🐍 Jealous Friend 🩹 Trauma Healing

Roses and Skulls

A mute, scarred MC princess is drawn to her childhood protector, but a rival's obsession threatens.

by L.M. Terry 2023

4.47

3k+ ratings

🏍️ Biker Romance 🖤 Dark Contemporary 💞 Friends To Lovers 🐍 Jealous Friend 🩹 Trauma Healing

Bittersweet Memories

by Catharina Maura • 2022

She doesn't know her new boss is the love she forgot. He knows everything.

4.19

38k+

🕰️ Second Chance Romance 💕 Friends To Lovers 🧠 Amnesia Trope 🏠 Found Family 😩 Angsty Romance

Bittersweet Memories

She doesn't know her new boss is the love she forgot. He knows everything.

by Catharina Maura 2022

4.19

38k+ ratings

🕰️ Second Chance Romance 💕 Friends To Lovers 🧠 Amnesia Trope 🏠 Found Family 😩 Angsty Romance

Luna and the Lie

by Mariana Zapata • 2018

She lied for her boss. Now his debt forces him into the family she barely survived.

4.06

71k+

🔥 Slow Burn Romance 👔 Grumpy Boss Romance 🏢 Workplace Romance 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Found Family 💔 Trauma Healing

Luna and the Lie

She lied for her boss. Now his debt forces him into the family she barely survived.

by Mariana Zapata 2018

4.06

71k+ ratings

🔥 Slow Burn Romance 👔 Grumpy Boss Romance 🏢 Workplace Romance 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Found Family 💔 Trauma Healing

Bully Beatdown

by Ki Brightly • 2021

A volatile CEO's apology to his terrified IT employee sparks a bond that digs into old wounds.

3.71

523

💀 Dark Romance 🩹 Hurt/Comfort ⛓️ Power Exchange 🌱 Trauma Recovery 💼 Boss/Employee

Bully Beatdown

A volatile CEO's apology to his terrified IT employee sparks a bond that digs into old wounds.

by Ki Brightly 2021

3.71

523 ratings

💀 Dark Romance 🩹 Hurt/Comfort ⛓️ Power Exchange 🌱 Trauma Recovery 💼 Boss/Employee

Just for the Cameras

by Meghan Quinn

An NFL star's zoo-duty Instagram romance with a flamingo keeper turns inconveniently real.

3.96

65k+

🎭 Fake Dating ⚔️ Enemies To Lovers ☀️ Grumpy X Sunshine 🏈 Football Romance 🏠 Forced Proximity

Just for the Cameras

An NFL star's zoo-duty Instagram romance with a flamingo keeper turns inconveniently real.

by Meghan Quinn 2026

3.96

65k+ ratings

🎭 Fake Dating ⚔️ Enemies To Lovers ☀️ Grumpy X Sunshine 🏈 Football Romance 🏠 Forced Proximity

Radiant Sin

by Katee Robert • 2023

A spymaster's assistant becomes his fake lover at a house party where the games are murder.

3.78

55k+

🎭 Fake Relationship 🏠 Forced Proximity 🏛️ Modern Greek Gods 🗡️ Political Intrigue 🌶️ Dark And Steamy

Radiant Sin

A spymaster's assistant becomes his fake lover at a house party where the games are murder.

by Katee Robert 2023

3.78

55k+ ratings

🎭 Fake Relationship 🏠 Forced Proximity 🏛️ Modern Greek Gods 🗡️ Political Intrigue 🌶️ Dark And Steamy

What It Should Be

by Grayce Rian • 2024

A hockey star pines for his sister's nanny, who hides bruises and a desperate escape plan.

3.93

467

🏒 Hockey Romance 🔥 Slow Burn 💘 He Falls First 🚫 Forbidden Romance 🐶 Golden Retriever Hero

What It Should Be

A hockey star pines for his sister's nanny, who hides bruises and a desperate escape plan.

by Grayce Rian 2024

3.93

467 ratings

🏒 Hockey Romance 🔥 Slow Burn 💘 He Falls First 🚫 Forbidden Romance 🐶 Golden Retriever Hero

Dirty English

by Ilsa Madden-Mills • 2015

A survivor with strict rules about men meets her match: a tattooed British fighter next door.

3.92

30k+

🥊 Fighter Hero 🌸 Survivor Heroine 🏘️ Neighbors To Lovers 🔥 Slow Burn 💔 Angsty

Dirty English

A survivor with strict rules about men meets her match: a tattooed British fighter next door.

by Ilsa Madden-Mills 2015

3.92

30k+ ratings

🥊 Fighter Hero 🌸 Survivor Heroine 🏘️ Neighbors To Lovers 🔥 Slow Burn 💔 Angsty

Stardust Child

by Melissa J. Cave • 2025

A duke marries an exiled princess to hold a monster-plagued valley. Trust is their hardest fight.

4.26

1k+

💍 Marriage Of Convenience 🔥 Slow Burn Romance 🖤 Scarred Hero 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Found Family 🌱 Healing Journey

Stardust Child

A duke marries an exiled princess to hold a monster-plagued valley. Trust is their hardest fight.

by Melissa J. Cave 2025

4.26

1k+ ratings

💍 Marriage Of Convenience 🔥 Slow Burn Romance 🖤 Scarred Hero 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Found Family 🌱 Healing Journey

Flameborne

by Aimee Lynn

A dragon catches a suicidal farm girl. She's the first female rider in a corps that wants her gone.

4.10

8k+

🐉 Dragon Rider Training 🩹 Trauma Healing Arc 💔 Forbidden Romance 🔥 Slow Burn Love 🫂 Found Family Squad

Flameborne

A dragon catches a suicidal farm girl. She's the first female rider in a corps that wants her gone.

by Aimee Lynn 2025

4.10

8k+ ratings

🐉 Dragon Rider Training 🩹 Trauma Healing Arc 💔 Forbidden Romance 🔥 Slow Burn Love 🫂 Found Family Squad

Origin

by Jennifer L. Armentrout • 2013

A government lab cages a hybrid. Her alien partner will shatter the earth to free her.

4.31

120k+

👽 Alien Romance 🧪 Secret Government Lab 💫 Fated Mates 💔 Traumatized Heroine 🫂 Found Family

Origin

A government lab cages a hybrid. Her alien partner will shatter the earth to free her.

by Jennifer L. Armentrout 2013

4.31

120k+ ratings

👽 Alien Romance 🧪 Secret Government Lab 💫 Fated Mates 💔 Traumatized Heroine 🫂 Found Family

The Devil You Know

by Elizabeth O'Roark • 2022

Two rival lawyers. One partnership. A case that blurs the line between competition and desire.

4.10

31k+

🏛️ Legal Romance ⚔️ Enemies To Lovers 💼 Workplace Rivals 🚪 Forced Proximity 💔 Wounded Heroine

The Devil You Know

Two rival lawyers. One partnership. A case that blurs the line between competition and desire.

by Elizabeth O'Roark 2022

4.10

31k+ ratings

🏛️ Legal Romance ⚔️ Enemies To Lovers 💼 Workplace Rivals 🚪 Forced Proximity 💔 Wounded Heroine

Reckless King

by L.M. Dalgleish • 2024

Fake-dating a playboy to save her cafe: the catch is he was her anonymous one-night stand.

4.29

11k+

💍 Fake Relationship 🦋 Anonymous Encounter 😈 Reformed Playboy 💔 Grieving Heroine 🫂 Mutual Healing

Reckless King

Fake-dating a playboy to save her cafe: the catch is he was her anonymous one-night stand.

by L.M. Dalgleish 2024

4.29

11k+ ratings

💍 Fake Relationship 🦋 Anonymous Encounter 😈 Reformed Playboy 💔 Grieving Heroine 🫂 Mutual Healing

WarBride

by Sylvia Mercedes • 2024

A human princess sold to fae discovers her new warlord husband wants consent, not conquest.

3.75

3k+

💍 Forced Marriage Fantasy 🧝 Human Among Fae 🔒 Forced Proximity 🔥 Slow Burn Romance 🩹 Trauma Healing

WarBride

A human princess sold to fae discovers her new warlord husband wants consent, not conquest.

by Sylvia Mercedes 2024

3.75

3k+ ratings

💍 Forced Marriage Fantasy 🧝 Human Among Fae 🔒 Forced Proximity 🔥 Slow Burn Romance 🩹 Trauma Healing

Tormented

by Elayna R. Gallea • 2023

Turned into a vampire, she is bound to a prince and forced into his mother's deadly trials.

3.74

16k+

🖤 Fated Mates ⚔️ Deadly Trials 🩸 Reluctant Vampire 👑 Vampire Court 😩 High Angst

Tormented

Turned into a vampire, she is bound to a prince and forced into his mother's deadly trials.

by Elayna R. Gallea 2023

3.74

16k+ ratings

🖤 Fated Mates ⚔️ Deadly Trials 🩸 Reluctant Vampire 👑 Vampire Court 😩 High Angst

Until You

by Catharina Maura • 2021

A tech CEO returns to his best friend's sister, not knowing she's his anonymous online vigilante.

3.86

38k+

💼 Workplace Romance 💖 Brother's Best Friend 🎭 Secret Identity 🏠 Forced Proximity 👪 Found Family

Until You

A tech CEO returns to his best friend's sister, not knowing she's his anonymous online vigilante.

by Catharina Maura 2021

3.86

38k+ ratings

💼 Workplace Romance 💖 Brother's Best Friend 🎭 Secret Identity 🏠 Forced Proximity 👪 Found Family

Grumpy Billionaire Bad Boy

by L. Pierce • 2024

Fleeing a forced marriage, she hides with a grumpy billionaire who would kill to protect her.

3.92

3k+

🔫 Mafia Romance 🏠 Forced Proximity ❤️‍🔥 Enemies To Lovers 💰 Billionaire Hero 🖤 Dark Past

Grumpy Billionaire Bad Boy

Fleeing a forced marriage, she hides with a grumpy billionaire who would kill to protect her.

by L. Pierce 2024

3.92

3k+ ratings

🔫 Mafia Romance 🏠 Forced Proximity ❤️‍🔥 Enemies To Lovers 💰 Billionaire Hero 🖤 Dark Past

Ruin

by Samantha Towle • 2018

A champion boxer discovers his lost love dancing in a club, raising their daughter in secret.

3.79

24k+

🔄 Second Chance Romance 🥊 Sports Romance 👶 Secret Baby 👩‍👧 Single Mother 🙇 Groveling Hero

Ruin

A champion boxer discovers his lost love dancing in a club, raising their daughter in secret.

by Samantha Towle 2018

3.79

24k+ ratings

🔄 Second Chance Romance 🥊 Sports Romance 👶 Secret Baby 👩‍👧 Single Mother 🙇 Groveling Hero

War

by Brittanee Nicole

Two years of loathing, one impulsive proposal: she'll marry her enemy to save his foster daughter.

4.24

20k+

🏒 Hockey Romance 💍 Marriage Of Convenience ⚔️ Enemies To Lovers 🏠 Found Family 👨‍👧 Single Dad

War

Two years of loathing, one impulsive proposal: she'll marry her enemy to save his foster daughter.

by Brittanee Nicole 2025

4.24

20k+ ratings

🏒 Hockey Romance 💍 Marriage Of Convenience ⚔️ Enemies To Lovers 🏠 Found Family 👨‍👧 Single Dad

Alive at Night

by Amelie Rhys • 2023

A fake wedding date with her childhood rival turns into something she can't pretend away.

3.94

8k+

🖤 Enemies To Lovers 🎭 Fake Dating 💼 Office Romance 🏢 Forced Proximity 🌱 Childhood Rivals

Alive at Night

A fake wedding date with her childhood rival turns into something she can't pretend away.

by Amelie Rhys 2023

3.94

8k+ ratings

🖤 Enemies To Lovers 🎭 Fake Dating 💼 Office Romance 🏢 Forced Proximity 🌱 Childhood Rivals

Max

by Sawyer Bennett • 2016

A pro hockey player bets his heart on a cashier raising her late sister's three children.

4.08

10k+

🏒 Hockey Romance 🔥 Slow Burn 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Guardian Heroine 💰 Class Difference 🏠 Found Family

Max

A pro hockey player bets his heart on a cashier raising her late sister's three children.

by Sawyer Bennett 2016

4.08

10k+ ratings

🏒 Hockey Romance 🔥 Slow Burn 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Guardian Heroine 💰 Class Difference 🏠 Found Family

Xavier

by Silvia Violet • 2021

An ex-Ranger hides his hunted hacker on an island where iron control shatters.

4.27

1k+

🏝️ Forced Proximity 🌈 Gay Awakening 🔫 Romantic Suspense ⛓️ Dominance And Submission 🌶️ High Heat

Xavier

An ex-Ranger hides his hunted hacker on an island where iron control shatters.

by Silvia Violet 2021

4.27

1k+ ratings

🏝️ Forced Proximity 🌈 Gay Awakening 🔫 Romantic Suspense ⛓️ Dominance And Submission 🌶️ High Heat

She's All Mine

by Ella Goode • 2019

A boxer's favor to walk a shy dancer home turns into a fight for her heart.

3.95

3k+

📚 College Romance 🥊 Sports Romance 🦋 Shy Heroine 🫂 Found Family 🤗 Hurt/Comfort

She's All Mine

A boxer's favor to walk a shy dancer home turns into a fight for her heart.

by Ella Goode 2019

3.95

3k+ ratings

📚 College Romance 🥊 Sports Romance 🦋 Shy Heroine 🫂 Found Family 🤗 Hurt/Comfort

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