This story moved me! It feels very personal, almost like you’re intruding, and it was absolutely wonderful!

Jane & Ripley
She’s owns a shop, he a boxing club. Both used to earn a living on their backs: she as a courtesan and he a champion in the ring. Both children of courtesans, they’ve seen and survived too much, share an understanding of how fickle life can be for lowborn folk like them. Over the span of a decade they’ve circled in each other’s orbit, never giving in to temptation. But when her younger sister goes missing from school, she turns to the one man she can trust: him!

She’s stubbornly independent, has self-worth issues, thinks herself below everyone, convinced she’ll break whomever she loves, and that she herself is an unlovable failure – and he’s her lifebuoy, a private man, very protective and perceptive. He’s loved her from afar for years, never pushing, never asking for more than she offered. This giant dragon is the sweetest king of consent, and I adore him!

It’s working class friends-to-lovers, close proximity, a road trip, a mission, intricate connections, a surprising outcome and wickedly delicious steam.
It’s about small gestures, unconditional loyalty, homecooked meals, heartbreaking tenderness, raw anger, desperation and regret. It’s an emotional read, passionate and patient, lots of old scars being ripped open so they can heal properly. They both come with so much baggage, yet they’re a perfectly matched set. Getting to see these two find their way home was incredibly touching!
It’s original, gorgeous, and I loved every second of it!

Really great addition to this series! I was hoping to see Ripley and Jane together at some point. I really liked how they understood each other, their backgrounds and beliefs were similar and they didn’t judge each other in the slightest. They also didn’t deny their attraction to each other. Really great moments to connect with family and friends. Great chemistry as well. Can’t wait for the next book!

*Received via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

Thanks to Netgalley for a copy for a copy of this ebook and this is my freely given opinion.

This is a story I have been waiting for since the second book in the story, The Hellion's Secret, where Jane and Ripley were introduced as friends of Esme, and their attraction, especially Ripley's for Jane, was obvious. So I was happy to see their story coming out in this book.

Campbell Ripley and Jane Kendall do not fit into the world of the Ton. Ripley is the bastard son of a courtesan and Lord who never acknowledged him, and forced to make his own way in the world. He became a successful prize fighter, and banking on that success by building a gym and career teaching nobles the fine art of boxing, as well as helping other talented fighters find their way to success, such as Esme, when she fought as the Hellion.

Jane also grew up in a harsh world, witness to her mother selling her body to make her way in the world, and falling prey to drink. Jane was the target of her mother's ire as well, and when she became a sister, she wanted to protect her young sister from what she was exposed to. At the age of 15, Jane became a courtesan as well, and what money she had, she used to send her sister to a school, away from the influence of her mother and so her sister was not witness to what she and her mother had to do to make their way in the world.

This story is about two people who had to make use of their bodies to survive in a harsh world. But when Ripley first saw Jane, he was struck dumb by her. Over the years, they crossed paths, and despite their obvious attraction to each other, both knew that giving into it may break down the emotionally protective walls that they have each erected in their hearts to be able to survive their lives, especially with Jane continuing to live as a courtesan. Because of their connections, namely their shared friendship with Esme, they have maintained a friendship, but made sure never step over the boundaries of friendship.

However, after Esme has gained back her aristocratic identity and inheritance, and has become a countess, Jane has retired from being a courtesan, and Esme and her husband has helped fund a different path for her. But despite having friends amongst the aristocracy who want to maintain their relationships, Jane and Ripley are still awkwardly on the edge, and Jane lives in fear of being exposed for her past.

Things come to a head for her when she discovers that her younger sister is missing and this forces her to seek help to find her, and she turns to Ripley for help. Ripley will never turn Jane away and drops everything to help her. As they work together in their search, they drop their walls, exposing their vulnerability to each other, and give into their attraction.

A sultry, steamy repressed love, friends to lovers, forced proximity, road trip, outcasts love affair. I loved Ripley's care of Jane and respect for her, especially understanding that she needs to be respected, heard, seen, and to be asked when she has been used so much by men through the years. I loved the development of their pasts and characters and their progression as a couple - it was very emotionally fulfilling to read their story.

4.75 stars out of 5

I was so excited to read Ripley and Jane’s story. Love that Jess writes stories with people who are not peers and writes them with so much love and caring. I admit that I cried at some points in the story (all good crying). Ripley and Jane’s story will give you all of the feels. I have read a few pugilist stories and they are always delicious.

I'm a big fan of Jess Michaels and with The Courtesan's Protector she did not disappoint. it is a lovely addition to the series where you continue to read about past characters which makes it feel more familial. Free ARC from NetGalley for honest review.

Former boxing champ Campbell Ripley has been fascinated by Miss Jane Kendall since the first time he saw her, pulling his focus during a match and leaving a scar. When Jane receives word that her younger sister has disappeared from school, she turns to Ripley for help. Feelings that they have repressed for so long bubble to the surface as they travel together in their search.

This is the fourth book in the About An Earl series. I highly recommend reading book two, where Jane and Ripley are introduced. Their friend Esme, book two's heroine, plays a small role in this story.

Both illegitimate and raised making money from their bodies, Jane and Ripley guard themselves closely and don't think happy endings happen to people like them. Feeling as though his romantic feelings would only cause problems, Ripley watches over Jane as a friend, though he wishes for more. I really loved both characters. As working commoners, it felt like they had real world problems and genuine reasons to be jaded about love. I loved how they were able to support and open up to one another.

As a side note, I had just finished watching the Hulu show A Thousand Blows (Victorian period historical drama centered around boxing) before reading this and it really made for an excellent transition! I enthusiastically endorse both!

Tropes: Anti-Hero, Working Heroine, Friends-to-Lovers, Road Trip Romance

Steam: 4

* I received an ARC and this is my honest review.