The Babysitter by Vicky L. Holt [Review]

The Babysitter (Hostile Recovery Corps of IGMC #2) by Vicky L. Holt
Format: ebook
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: May 28, 2025

Hostile Recovery Corps of IGMC
1. The Boy Scout
2. The Babysitter - Kindle
3. The Knife

Related Series:
(find all the books in the series on the 1st book review)
WarGuards of Ikshe
1. Into the Ikfal

Predator Planet
1. Hunted on Predator Planet

Vicky L. Holt
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

I've got a hundred problems, but the little pickpocket Janessa might be the biggest one. And she's only nine. Something about her takes me back to my hard scrabble childhood, and I can't let her out of my sight. So when the most prominent gang of Jeppsit 5 abducts her, I have no choice but to turn over every rock on this blasted planet to find her. That means finding the woman she's protecting, and when I do, everything snaps into place. Before Cam, the Hostile Recovery Corps was the most important part of my life since I left the space marines. But now, keeping the stubborn yet tender Cam and her little bandit alive has moved to the top of my priority list. My team calls me The Babysitter, but when I find the bastard that wants to break Janessa, I'll be a killer. No one messes with the people I love. But while I'm programmed to protect, my girls are hard-wired to defend themselves which leaves me to wonder ... who's saving who?

Thoughts on The Babysitter: The Babysitter is the next HRC operative to fall and his heart is stolen first by a sassy pickpocket and then by the woman she's protecting. Given that Babysitter's default mode is full-on protector (hence the Babysitter call sign), he's not about to give up when Janessa gets abducted practically in front of him.

While Janessa is a sassy little pickpocket who reminds Babysitter of himself, Cam is something else. She's fierce and beautiful and sick. She doesn't let her illness stop her, but she knows she can't get Janessa back on her own, so she gracefully accepts Babysitter's help. Frankly, Babysitter is floored by her. From the first time the spoke, he was smitten and putting her in danger as they hunt down the people who took Janessa goes against his code, but the lady isn't about to be left behind when her adopted daughter is missing.

A little sass, a little abduction, a little sleuthing to figure out where Janessa and Cam are holed up, a face off with some dangerous mercs (HRC does it better!), a man who knows a good thing the moment he lays eyes on her, and a lady who will protect those closest to her any way she can. *thumbs up* all around!