ARC Review: "ON GUARD" by Kels & Denise Stone

Hello readers!
Today's article is about a new sport romance I read the last month thanks to @valentine_pr who send me the digital arc. Are you ready to be On Guard? 😏

Title: On Guard
Author: Kels and Denise Stone
Publishing Date: April 9, 2025
Publisher:  Between the Sheets Publishing
Pages: 452 (paperback)
Price: 18,99 $
This book is available on KU!

Synopsis:

DANTE HASTINGS
You might have heard of me.

I was the defending Olympic champion—until I used my fist instead of my sabre during a match. Needless to say, I was suspended. Which means no competing for a year…and cleaning up my image.
So, instead of continuing to dominate the fencing world, I’m working on a film that’s poised to be next year’s blockbuster action flick.
The upside? Working with Reese Sinclair, my celebrity crush whose poster was on my wall growing up. Spending time with her will help wash the tabloids of my suspension and convince the league that I’m reformed.
But America’s sweetheart is nothing like I imagined. She’s stubborn, ambitious, and struggling to prove herself in a role that no one thinks she can handle. Still, her determination runs red-hot, and I can’t help but admire her.
When our late-night training sessions turn into something more, I start to realize that I’m outmaneuvered by feelings I never saw coming.

REESE SINCLAIR
The girl next door. The best friend. The love-struck heroine.
I’ve played them all.
But with thirty creeping closer, I need to prove to myself that I can be more than Hollywood’s darling. And this movie is the opportunity I’ve been waiting for, the project I can use to break out of my typecasting.
The problem? I’m not cut out for action-packed stunt work.
Enter: Dante Hastings. He’s hedonistic, insufferable, infuriatingly gorgeous—and my last shot at making this career move work.
I should stay away. His reputation alone could sink mine. But the more time we spend together, the more I see past all his tabloid exploits and rule-breaking. He knows what it means to fight for something.
But a leading lady doesn’t simper over her co-workers, right?
Yet as much as I try to resist, part of me wants to let Dante put the sin in Sinclair.

Review: 

Rate: 3.25 stars ⭐

Family standalone series and sport romance are two of my favorite elements in a novel, and after loving Close Knit so much I was eager to keep going with The Hastings series.

On Guard has new main characters, Dante and Reese, and focuses on several serious topics which include being able to freely express without the restraints created by the image that people or society depicts on us, the woman's right to fight for being respected and treated as professionals; the importance on believing in someone and don't give up on them just because they're "difficult" to deal with, especially if we're talking about children and teens.

I really appreciated how Reese starts to get back her voice and strength not only against misbehavior and sexism, but also against all the lies media can create and weave around a person without a concrete reason. In fact, the book shows clearly how often people start spreading false information about someone just for the chance to stay in the spotlight, no matter the costs their “victims” would pay. Moreover, On Guard stresses the problematic issue of the "good girl" label and the unrealistic expectations related to that. Society created this idea of perfection that includes determined physical appearance, look, way to behave, interests and precise kind of people to be associated with, and choosing something different from that only causes to switch to the "bad girl" label, or similar not very cute nicknames. How unhealthy is that? That’s why I was more than happy to see Reese understands that she could be more than that, and she doesn’t need to fit in a certain category to be appreciated, she can be just herself.

I really suffered for all the pressure Reese and Dante are put under, but they are always mature enough to have each other back, without overstepping. And talking about Dante, his growth path is my favorite: I loved the way his self-centered ego leaves space to his true nature, showing the caring and dedicated man he is. He respects Reese in such a loving way, more focused on her than maybe himself (and in that I missed a little bit of balance, if I have to be honest), and he believes so much in Em she succeeds in expressing her true potential in fencing. After a comprehensible rough start, he was always there for her, challenging her but also trying to keep her away from the wrong track. It was cool seeing him in a coach position, even if Lev remains iconic. It reminds me a little of coach Jensen from the Off Campus series (if you don’t know it, what are you waiting for?).

Plus, Dante exudes charm like a very dangerous weapon, and I love his confidence in certain open doors moments, it indeed made certain moments even steamier. At the same time, I admit I was a little bit confused about his preferences, whether he enjoys have or give control to the partner. That is still an open question for me.

I was also expecting to see more of the Hasting family, but nonetheless the text exchange with Dante and his sisters were so hilarious I really loved them! And that moment with Dante and his parents? It moved me so much.

Furthermore, every mention of fencing and saber's swordplay were absolutely so interesting to hear I would have loved to have more of it in the story than the Robin Hood part. That was cute and I understand its use in the general plot, but I think some moments could have been left out or rewritten in a more captivating way. Especially, I was curious about the water scene, given Reese’s trauma, but in the end it was just mentioned. It was a pity, because it would have been good to see her overcome her fears.

In all truth, if I compare it with Close Knit, I feel there’s something off.

I’m aware that we have two wealthy main characters, but everything seemed to be a little bit exaggerated. And it's not only about Dante’s rich and decadent attitude, because thankfully he is so much more, but the majority of things he and Reese do together is always (or have something to do with) something special, reserved or luxurious. I'm sure that people can go out of their comfort zone or enjoy new things even if not expensive, “prohibited” or peculiar. Maybe what was missing in On Guard is the value of little and small things, while in Close Knit I found more balance in that sense. Same as per the fact of Reese doing bad girl's things. Isn't it a cliché itself, especially while we're stressing the issues around the "good girl label"? Where’s the “bad” in what she does with Dante? Clearly, we’re not talking about tea time with some ladies in a country club and the majority of that was oriented to making media talks, but this whole point felt flat. Plus, thinking about the idea Reese gave me in the initial part of the book, she doesn’t seem a person that has a certain look and aspect only for some third party’s requests, so even if I understand what lead to certain moments, those as well seemed a little bit exaggerated, instead of cherishing her rediscovering herself, embracing all the changes she felt she needs.
So, probably some things could have arranged better, but with its pros and cons On Guard is still a lovable and enjoyable romance I really suggest you to savor and try. I’m sure Dante Hasting won’t disappoint you.

To the next review!

Chiara