The third and final book in the “Don’t Tell” series, Rie Warren once again pens an edgy yaoi romance in Under His Guard 
The focus is star-crossed lovers Darke and Leon Cheramie who seemed not to be able to catch a break. First, it was the volatile nature of their relationship and now, Leon Cheramie is a human time bomb thanks to the virus planted on him by CEO Cutler’s mad scientist.
Though this is a standalone book and could be enjoyed without reading the first two tomes, it is also good to catch up with the main characters of “In His Command” and “On Her Watch”.
Caspar Cannon & Nathaniel Rice, Liz Grant & Linc Cutler plus all the beloved secondary characters all made their appearance for their final bow. Call it a curtain call. Author Rie Warren mentioned in the foreword that “Under His Guard” is the final book of the series.
As a reader and as a reviewer, I agree with Ms. Warren’s decision to end the series. With same-sex marriage already legal in 37 states, a future, albeit a dystopian one where homosexuality is illegal seems illogical.
Though the yaoi genre has its beginnings as a parody during the 1970s, by the 1990s, it has achieved its own berth in popular literature. With Gay Pride and the rise of erotica, yaoi became a delicious illicit escape.
Today, with Tiffany & Co. and London Fog featuring gay couples in their advertising campaigns, yaoi all of a sudden is now mainstream romance!
Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed reading Under His Guard. In fact, the whole “Don’t Tell Series” is a delicious illicit read. But, from my point in view, the whole story has been told. And to quote Ms. Warren, “the journey has come to an end.”
Under His Guard
Rebel soldier Darke lost his lover during the early stages of the InterNations war. Only the flirtatious attentions of the gorgeous Leon Cheramie brought him back from heartbreak and grief. Unwilling to get attached again, Darke has fought their undeniable attraction to one another. But when Leon’s life is threatened, Darke cannot deny what’s been brewing between them.
After escaping certain death at the hands of the enemy, the brave and determined Leon has proven himself capable of fighting in the war. The only thing he hasn’t been able to do is capture the heart of the fearless warrior Darke. When a huge victory is won for the revolutionaries, Darke and Leon finally give in to their feelings for one another.
But the celebration is short-lived when Leon is infected with a deadly virus. He’s a human time bomb set to plague the entire rebel population. Now, the final endgame of the war is pitted against the rebels’ race to find a cure before Leon becomes a full-blown carrier and Darke loses the man who managed to win his love and bring him back to life.
