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Verdict: A popular, divisive bodyguard romance: a Secret Service agent shot protecting the president takes a private job guarding a Hollywood actress mid-comeback. Fans love the trope, the tension and Erin Zak’s emotional writing; critics say the romance moves too fast and the plot twist doesn’t hold together.
Best for: Bodyguard-trope lovers with Kindle Unlimited.
Heat level: 🌶️🌶️
Rating: ★★★★☆ (3.7/5 — a 4.06 Goodreads average across 1,521 ratings, 3.69 on StoryGraph from 189 reviews, and 4.5 stars across 1,526 Amazon ratings)
Tropes: Bodyguard, ice queen, enemies to lovers, celebrity/non-celebrity, single mom, women in uniform.
Guarding Evelyn is Erin Zak’s 2022 contemporary lesbian romance. After an incident on the job and a forced leave from the Secret Service, Arden Ryan moves back to Chicago to recover in her childhood home with her lovely, slightly overbearing parents.
It holds a 4.06 average across 1,521 Goodreads ratings, with 73% of them four or five stars, 3.69 on StoryGraph from 189 reviews, and 4.5 stars across 1,526 Amazon ratings.
What Is Guarding Evelyn About?
Prodded by her best friend, Arden reluctantly takes a job guarding Evelyn Glass, a leading lady returning to the screen in a top-rated TV show after stepping away to raise a family.
The two butt heads constantly. Evelyn’s need to prove herself puts her in harm’s way, until a threat reaches her children and changes everything — including how she feels about Arden.
What Works in This Book
- The trope: Several readers admit they are suckers for a bodyguard romance, and this delivers the premise.
- Emotion: Zak fans praise her flawed heroines and tissues-ready writing.
- Supporting cast: Talon, Mel and Sabina stand out for one reader, who calls it a case of found family.
- Page-turning drama: One reader finished it in a day; another was never bored.
Book Synopsis
A wounded agent needs a new purpose. A stubborn star doesn’t want protecting.
When the threats turn serious, Arden has to prove her love means more to Evelyn than fame.
My Review
For readers who want the bodyguard setup, there’s a lot to enjoy: two women hurt in different ways, sparring and circling each other, with an action plot pushing them together.
The criticism is sustained, though. Several readers say the romance feels forced and too quick, with love declared before the bond is earned, and some were bothered that Arden moves on fast from a previous love. Others found the characters shallow or similar-sounding, the pacing uneven and the villain’s motive unconvincing.
My honest note: It’s on Kindle Unlimited, so it’s a low-risk try.
| Element | In Guarding Evelyn |
|---|---|
| Central relationship | Arden Ryan (former Secret Service agent) & Evelyn Glass (actress and mother) |
| Core tropes | Bodyguard, ice queen, enemies to lovers |
| Setting | Chicago and the TV industry |
| Heat level | 🌶️🌶️ |
| Length | 323 pages (Kindle edition) |
| Series | Standalone |
| Content notes | Stalking, injury, emotional abuse, domestic violence (per one reader) |
How Spicy Is Guarding Evelyn?
Moderate, with some steamy scenes.
StoryGraph readers flag stalking, injury detail and emotional abuse.
Who Should Read This Book?
You’ll likely love it if: you can’t resist a bodyguard and an ice queen. It is on our celebrity lesbian romance list.
You may want to skip it if: you need a slow, earned emotional build.
In short: Great trope, bumpy execution.
What Readers Are Actually Saying (September 2026)
On Goodreads the split is 41% five stars, 32% four, 18% three, 6% two and 1% one. On StoryGraph, 73% tagged it emotional and 52% tense, but only 58% found the characters loveable. A couple of reviewers say they read it to see where they stood on its mixed reputation.
Why readers love it (according to the discourse): The bodyguard trope first. Second, emotion. Third, the twist. Fourth, side characters.
What readers argue about and complain about: Rushed romance, above everything. Second, the plot twist. Third, thin characters.
The comparison worth making first: The Fame Game, a gentler, no-spice take on a star and an outsider.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Guarding Evelyn based on fan fiction?
Readers say so. One had read the fan fiction it grew out of, and another enjoyed its Swan Queen references.
Is Guarding Evelyn a slow burn?
Fans call it one, though several critics felt the declarations of love came too fast for the bond on the page.
How spicy is Guarding Evelyn?
Moderate. Readers mention steamy parts; one rates it two chilli peppers.
Is there a suspense plot?
Yes. Threats against Evelyn drive the story, and readers mention a twist and a dash of conspiracy — some loved it, others found the culprit and motive unconvincing.
Is Guarding Evelyn on Kindle Unlimited?
Yes, when we checked — or $5.99 to buy on Kindle. An audiobook edition is also listed on Amazon.
If You Loved Guarding Evelyn, Read These Next
Try All That Lies Within or The Fame Game. Browse our celebrity list or the full Book Reviews archive.
The Bottom Line
Guarding Evelyn sets out to be an emotional bodyguard romance with a dash of suspense, and fans of the trope mostly get what they came for. What holds it back is a rushed emotional arc and a twist that divides readers. Worth it on Kindle Unlimited. Check Guarding Evelyn on Amazon →
The Eikna Overall Ranking
On the Eikna scale, Guarding Evelyn ranks as a good trope pick — addictive, uneven.
The Evidence Scorecard
Overall ★★★★☆ 3.7/5
- ✓ 4.06 average across 1,521 Goodreads ratings
- ✓ 73% of Goodreads ratings are four or five stars
- ✓ 3.69 on StoryGraph from 189 reviews
- ✓ 4.5 stars across 1,526 Amazon ratings
Romance ★★★☆☆ 3.4/5
- ✓ Bodyguard trope
- ✓ Chemistry
- ✓ Too fast for some
- ✓ Rebound worry
Characters ★★★☆☆ 3.4/5
- ✓ Flawed leads
- ✓ Ice queen Evelyn
- ✓ Strong side cast
- ✓ 58% loveable on StoryGraph
Writing ★★★☆☆ 3.3/5
- ✓ Emotional
- ✓ Present tense
- ✓ Uneven pacing
- ✓ Characters sound alike for one
Emotional Impact ★★★★☆ 3.8/5
- ✓ Tagged emotional by 73%
- ✓ Tense
- ✓ Hope
- ✓ Tissues for fans
Heat Level ★★★☆☆ 3/5
- ✓ Steamy parts
- ✓ Two chilli peppers for one
- ✓ Adult
- ✓ Moderate
Ending ★★★☆☆ 3.4/5
- ✓ Twist
- ✓ Divisive motive
- ✓ Satisfying for fans
- ✓ Standalone
Re-read Value ★★★★☆ 3.7/5
- ✓ On Kindle Unlimited
- ✓ $5.99 Kindle price
- ✓ Audiobook on Amazon
- ✓ Quick read
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