A great book to binge read and trust me u will want to binge read this one for sure... Lisa Rene Jones is an amazing Author and I love reading Anything I can get my hands on

It was a short read but a headache. The flashbacks were really confusing for my part.

Other than that, the characters were all unlikeable. The ML is a jerk, and the FL is stupid. I hate both of them.

this book was an easy read. the story sucked you in and it kept you wanting to read more. the characters all had there own story to tell.

The Protege King had me hooked from the beginning. I can't wait for the next book. I loved how Alana and Damion grew during the time they were apart. I loved the connection between the two of them.

This is a good book. The two main characters are Alana and Damion. They have known each other for all their lives. They are best friends. There has been a connection all their lives. They see each other every few years. Alana is staring in a tv series about real estate. Damion has come back from being in Europe to the United States. Damion ask Alana to be his fake fiancé. She says yes. He tells her she is his love. She loves him too.

Alana and Damion were once best friends, the he disappeared for 10 years. Now he has come back into her life and wants her to be his fake fiance, to protect her from his father. But what started out as a deal, has turned into something real.

This was very much does what it says on the tin. A predictable story line with spicy scenes. This was a quick read which required very little concentration - sometimes it’s exactly what you need!

Sadly this book just didn’t grab as much as I hoped it would. I put it down and picked it up multiple times but I just couldn’t connect with it. Super bummed.

Hot and cold relationship but oh so spicy. I actually enjoyed how the book started off with the present day and how Alana reacted to Damion. You read that and you don’t understand why. But then the book continues and gives you the back story of why Alana reacted to Damion. And it makes the spicy present day reading of what’s going on even more spicy because you have that back story of hot and cold and wanting between them. The only thing I didn’t enjoy is how the book ended. You have to get the second just to find out more of what’s going on. You get to the peak of the over all story it seems and that’s when this book ends.

"Lisa Renee Jones introduces a gripping narrative in the first part of Damion and Alana's story, 'Protege King.' The plot unfolds with a dynamic mix of suspense, surprises, and a myriad of events that kept me thoroughly engaged. As the story reached its climax, a jaw-dropping cliffhanger on the final page left me stunned, eagerly awaiting the release of the next book in the series. LRJ's storytelling prowess shines through, crafting an intricate and must-read tale that skillfully weaves together romance and suspense, making it a compelling recommendation for fans of the genre."

Damion West is the boy next door, best friend, and the guy that broke her heart. He has always been there for her, taken care of her when she needed him, and even paid off a loan that her father had racked up gambling. Alana Blue, has been in love with Damion since she was a kid and doesn't know how to not be even though he keeps breaking her heart.

When Alana gets a request to come to the studio, she shows up expecting to meet with the head only Damion is there. She hasn't seen him in ten years because he has been living in Europe, but now he is back and he is the owner of the studio. He needs a favor from her and that is to be his pretend fiance, only it is more than that. He came home for HER, and to protect her because her life is in danger, because of her fathers dealings. Will they be able to get over the past, and work together to save her, or will her anger and hurt get in the way? I mean maybe she fill finally get everything she has ever wanted and find out how Damion really feels.

I really enjoyed getting to know Alana and Damion. He comes off as a very cold guy but once you get to know him and see him with Alana you see it is his way of protecting himself and hiding his feelings. He has to hide who he is because of his father and his ability to use what he loves most against him. I know we have a lot more to come, which I am waiting for book 2 impatiently, and it looks like things will get a lot more interesting and heat up. I really enjoy these characters and hope we get to see other sides of Damion that we haven't been able to yet. Such a good read, I highly recommend this book.

Received ARC in exchange for voluntary honest review from NetGalley.

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

This book tells the story of Damian West and Alana Blue. Alana was in love with Damian in their youth but he broke her heart. Alana is a cast member of Selling in New York and works for her parent's real estate firm that caters to the rich and famous, one day she gets called into a meeting with none other than Damian West.

This book had a lot of potential however the execution just wasn't there. It would've been better if the reader discovered what happened in the past by having it spread out along with the main storyline. The protagonist Alana is a little shallow and lacks the self-respect she should have for herself. The secrets could've been explained better, and Damian comes off as a spoiled brat. The book could've done with a little more editing.

Book: Protege King
Wall Street Empire #1
by Lisa Renee Jones
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Trope: Friends to lovers, family struggles

I’m utterly grateful to have had the chance to read this beautiful love story produced by none other than Lisa Renee Jones.

Having read many of her previous works, the author is back with an absolute heartwarming story in this new series.

The love shared and portrayed by Lisa was honestly heart rendering to read and I m still struggling to come to terms having experienced all the family undercurrents, love unspoken , mind talking and so many emotions.

Beware that this story end on a cliffhanger.

Thank you NetGalley and Victory editing for giving me the opportunity to review this ARC copy.

I quite enjoyed this book. The banter and angst was palpable. Damion and Alana kept me equal parts frustrated and shipping them. Can't wait for the next book.

"Protege King" by Lisa Renee Jones is an intoxicating blend of passion and suspense, unfolding the intricate dance between childhood friends Alana Blue and Damion West. The novel stands out with its deeply woven storyline that maneuvers through their shared past, evolving emotions, and family secrets. Alana, with her vulnerability masked by a facade of confidence, is now a top real estate agent and TV star. Damion, the ever-charismatic and now even more formidable heir to West Enterprises, reconnects with her, stirring a whirlwind of unresolved emotions and tension.

I was submerged in the world of Alana and Damion, their complexities rendering them authentic and relatable. The pulsating bond and unspoken love between them are palpable, creating an electric atmosphere that melds seamlessly with the undercurrent of familial intrigue and hidden secrets. Lisa's storytelling is impeccable, holding my attention captive, making me root for Alana and Damion's happiness, and allowing me to feel the tension and passion radiating from them. The book balances romance and suspense with the characters' richness and interwoven pasts, making every moment between them charged and vital.

However, the abrupt cliffhanger left me yearning for more depth and resolution. Although the spiciness of the romance was somewhat mild, the strong storyline drove me to keep reading. The contrast between the potential of a more detailed storyline and the quick, spicy read offered made me wish for a fuller exploration of Alana and Damion's journey. Nonetheless, "Protege King" is an excellent start to a new series. I am eager to see where the next installment takes Alana and Damion.

Thank you for the arc. Protege King was a quick and easy read with a few cute tropes as second chance love and childhood love. Not really my cup of tea, but people who enjoy this tropes would love it.

Thank you NetGalley and the Publisher for an advance copy of Protege King by Lisa Renee Jones in exchange of an honest review.
Protege King takes readers on an emotional rollercoaster, following the lives of Damion and Alana as they navigate the complexities of friendship, love, and self-discovery. From their childhood to adulthood, this compelling tale delves into the depths of their hearts and the challenges they face along the way. The story is centered around Alana, a girl who finds it difficult to act on her emotions and keeps her heart locked away, hesitant to embrace the love she feels for her best friend, Damion. This creates a constant tension between them, as Damion has promised not to cross the boundary of friendship, in fear of losing Alana. As the years go by, Alana experiences a few heart-wrenching moments that force her back into her self-imposed cage of emotions, making her journey of growth and emotional vulnerability all the more captivating. Lisa Renee Jones has masterfully crafted a tale that tugs at the heartstrings of romance readers. With each turn of the page, readers become deeply invested in the lives of Alana and Damion, rooting for their ultimate happiness. The author's skillful storytelling technique creates an engaging brand voice that effortlessly captures the attention of readers, allowing them to immerse themselves in the narrative. What sets Protege King apart from other romance novels is the authenticity of the characters and their relatable struggles

Fast paced story about 2 next door, best friends from the age of 4, who went their separate ways, unknown to Alana, because of machinations by their fathers. Everything that Damion has done was to protect her and he did that by going to Europe for 10 years. But now he is back to put an end to his father's schemes. He wants Alana by his side, but also wants to protect her by pushing her away. He is a very conflicted man and Alana has been kept in the dark about many matters. Great character development. However, if I had realized that this was just part 1, I don't know if I would have read it, because of course, now I need to read the next one.

I read an ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley.com. This is may unbiased and voluntary review.

I enjoy reading your book. I like your way of writing and how you construct your characters... but I think you ended it too soon. To me, it feels incomplete. It doesn't feels like a clifhanger. I will read the next one because I just need to know how this really ends