When He Returns (Protector & Defender Romance #9)

When He Returns (Protector & Defender Romance #9) by Cynthia Eden is a Romantic Suspense release out on December 29, 2026.

See if this book is on Audible

When He Returns (Protector & Defender Romance #9)

Countdown to launch:

00DAYS
00HOURS
00MINUTES

Preorder Now on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

When He Returns (Protector & Defender Romance #9) Release Date: December 29, 2026

Coming Soon

Her boyfriend is back…and he came to save her life.

Sebastian Shay is dead. The US Marshal who lied to Harper Channing, who tricked her, who used her, who made her fall for him…is dead. Or, at least, he was supposed to be dead. She’d grieved for the man. Put flowers on his grave…and, yet, somehow he’s standing right in front of her.

So, the rumors of his death may have been exaggerated. Or, okay, fine, his death was faked. It happens…

Sebastian’s last undercover mission went seriously sideways, and he wound up with a fake headstone. Not his choice, but he’d needed to ditch his criminal persona and get back to life as a marshal. His job is to protect. To defend. To stop the bad guys and…hell, he just can’t get Harper out of his mind. Things weren’t supposed to be personal with her. It was all just an act. Or, at least, that was what he told himself.

Harper is in danger. She needs protection. He volunteered for the job. More like raced to her side…

Harper recently survived one attack from a crazed killer, but she’s not safe. Because another killer is hiding far too close to the hotel heiress. She needs a bodyguard. She needs someone who will protect her twenty-four, seven. She needs an undercover boyfriend who will step into her life and take down every threat. In other words, she needs Sebastian. And that is the very thing he tells her…

Her response? No. No. She does not need Sebastian. She does not trust Sebastian. She does not want him anywhere near her.

But when the threats start mounting, Harper doesn’t have much choice. Sebastian might have lied to her, he might have tricked her, but he has lethal skills that she needs. She will not be a victim again. This time, Harper will hunt down the predator after her, and she’ll do it with Sebastian at her side. She’ll be more careful, too. She won’t let the gorgeous US Marshal into her heart, though she might wind up letting him into her bed. Because some temptations are just too strong.

Her boyfriend is back…and he wants to stay forever.

Sebastian is done playing games. He will do whatever it takes to protect Harper and to keep her. But when she realizes that the target in their deadly hunt is someone that she loves, will she ever be able to forgive Sebastian? Because he’s still carrying secrets. The kind that can blow up in a man’s face.

Author’s Note: Sebastian Shay is a fighter. He’s determined, protective, and he will get the job done. He might be the man everyone thought was dead, but Harper is the ghost that has haunted him for months. He can’t get her out of his head, and when she’s in danger, he knows that he will do whatever is necessary to protect her. Second chances, opposites attracting, forced proximity…oh, this story will be full of all the fun things.

Preorder Now on Amazon

🚀 Pre-order now to be among the first to read this release on publication day.

Reader Anticipation Rating:
[Average Rating: 5]

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Cynthia Eden

More books from Cynthia Eden

Also releasing around the same time

🎧 While You Wait for When He Returns (Protector & Defender Romance #9)

Looking forward to When He Returns (Protector & Defender Romance #9)?

While waiting for release day, you can discover thousands of bestselling audiobooks on Audible.

✔ Listen while commuting or relaxing
✔ Your first audiobook is free with the trial
✔ Cancel anytime

Start Audible Free Trial

Recommended Book Release Guides

Similar Books Liked By Our Readers