Audiobook Review: Jake (The Protectors #26) by Teresa Gabelman

So, before we get into what I thought about Jake, a little disclaimer. I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook from Recorded Books for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Thanks for the copy.

Jake — Worth Every Emotional Punch

If you’ve read any of my reviews before, you’ll know that I don’t post spoilers of any kind or reveal any plot twists in my book reviews. Here’s what the official blurb has to say about the story:

After a tragic accident, Jake, former Dark Guardian, not only mourned losing his wife but carried the burden of a secret that only one other living person knew. Confronting that secret was the only way Jake could fight his heavy guilt when a beautiful ballerina dances into his life.

Jessie Reed loves everything about dance, but it didn’t pay the bills. Getting a job working with Nicole Callahan, Jessie is thrown into the VC Warrior and Dark Guardian world where she meets Jake, who saves her life not once, but twice.

Tormented by his feelings for Jessie, Jake still can’t seem to stay away from her, not realizing she had battles of her own. Slowly they build a bond that is shaky at best. As Jake and Jessie fight against the guilt that weighs heavily on them, neither realizes that a message from beyond the grave can give them the freedom of happiness.

Contains mature themes.

Each book in this fast-paced series focuses on the romance between one Warrior and his mate. However, the demon threat story arc began in previous books. Be warned, future books will continue this story arc. Although Teresa weaves the main points about any previous story-lines into this one, in all honestly, I’m unsure whether Jake can be read as a standalone story. I think you’d miss the nuances of knowing the existing characters, understanding the dynamics of relationships, and be familiar with the adventures to date if you jump straight in.

I am a huge fan of Teresa Gabelman’s writing, and this series has had my heart in a vice grip from the very beginning. Jake was no exception; if anything, it tightened that grip considerably.

A Character Whose Story Was Long Overdue

Jake has been a presence in the background for several books now, and I’d always been intrigued by him. On the surface, he seemed like your archetypal Dark Guardian: a rule-breaking badass with killer instincts, someone who would fight demons — literally — by any means necessary. But there were glimpses of something deeper beneath all that. Flashes of a pain he carried quietly. A tragedy he’d never quite found his way through.

This book finally gave Jake the spotlight he deserved, and I found his story genuinely moving. His backstory is heartbreaking, made all the more so because we only ever saw fragments of it before. Knowing what we know about him now, those earlier glimpses take on a whole new weight. Teresa handled his journey with a sensitivity and emotional depth that I wasn’t quite prepared for — and I mean that as the highest possible compliment.

As with all of Teresa’s alpha characters, Jake’s over-protectiveness occasionally veered into the territory of utterly, frustratingly smothering. But then his capacity to love — body and soul — would come roaring back, and all was forgiven.Every single time. Lol!

Jessie Reed — An Instant Girl-Crush

I’d been introduced to Jessie in A Warrior Thanksgiving, and from the moment she appeared on the page I adored her. She held her own with the Warriors, completely unfazed by huge, muscled — and occasionally intimidating — vampires. She could banter. She had backbone. In short, Jessie was exactly the kind of woman I love seeing in this series.

Watching her and Jake find their way towards each other was a joy, even when it was painful. They both carry such a weight of guilt, and I loved how Teresa allowed those wounds to exist alongside the growing connection between them rather than rushing past them. The bond they build is tentative and unsteady at first — shaky at best, as the blurb puts it — and that felt entirely right.

Teresa’s Ever-Expanding World

One of the things I love most about this series is how Teresa continues to grow and evolve the world she’s created. The danger these characters face doesn’t come from a single source — it comes from all directions, often when you least expect it. Just when you think you know what you’re in for, she pulls the rug from beneath your feet.

Jake was no different. I found myself gasping at moments I genuinely didn’t see coming and, yes, there may have been some ugly crying involved. But as always, the humour and warmth shine through too, and Teresa strikes that balance beautifully — the lighter moments breathe without diminishing the emotional stakes.

Jeffrey Kafer — Still the Voice of the VC Warriors

Jeffrey Kafer remains, for me, the definitive voice of this world. His narration brings every character to life with an ease and authenticity that makes listening feel like coming home. He captures Jake’s complexity — the gruffness, the grief, the dry humour — with remarkable nuance, and the emotional moments land exactly as they should. I was never confused about who was speaking, even in the busier ensemble scenes. Jeff simply IS these characters, and I honestly can’t imagine anyone else in this role.

A Stunning Addition to the Series

Jake delivered everything I’ve come to love about Teresa Gabelman:

• ✅ gripping action,
• ✅ emotional depth,
• ✅ romance with real heat, and
• ✅ characters who feel utterly real.

More than that, it gave a character I’d been quietly rooting for the story he richly deserved.

I closed this audiobook with a full heart and that familiar, slightly bereft feeling that comes at the end of a brilliant read. Fans of the series will not be disappointed — and I am already desperate to know what comes next.

Warning:
Because of the graphic violence and sexual content, I recommend Jake to adults who can handle such scenes and enjoy relationship and romance stories with gritty plots and plenty of passion.

So, has my review of JAKE (THE PROTECTORS #26) encouraged you to find out more? I really hope so. Just click on the links below to check out the book yourself or to find out more about the author.

See JAKE on Goodreads.com

Visit TERESA GABELMAN‘s own little corner of the web. Support her by buying a copy of this (or any of her books) directly from her website!

Take a look at my profile on Goodreads to see the other books I’ve read, or read more reviews here on The BG Blog.