Guarding Gus, Karryn Nagel
Guarding Gus, Karryn Nagel
List: $9.99 | Sale: $7.00
Club: $4.99

Guarding Gus

Author: Karryn Nagel

Series: The Gus Chronicles #1

Narrator: Andre Santana

Unabridged: 4 hr 1 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Promise Press

Published: 05/08/2025

Includes: Bonus Material Bonus Material Included


Synopsis

What would you do if you found a rare magical animal?Nico, who has just begun passing as a transgender man, relishes the quiet life working as a bonsai bodyguard. But during a chance encounter one night amidst the aftermath of a territory dispute, he meets Brant, an excitable, good-natured cookie guard, and the two strike an instant friendship. They form an irresistible bond with Gustopher, a baby gargoyle in need, setting off on a thrilling 3-day adventure to rescue the creature and reunite it with its rightful owner.As they set out on their mission, the mismatched duo encounter predicaments unusual to new foster parents. Unscrupulous enemies lurk in the shadows, eager to exploit Gustopher on the black market. In order to ensure Gus's safety, Nico and Brant must quickly learn how to nurture (what do gargoyles eat, anyway?) and safeguard their newfound charge. Fortunately, their journey leads them to encounter Remi the vampire, an eccentric cheese guard from Wisconsin, and Jasper, a seasoned traveler, who faithfully accompanies the renowned Manley Cup, the cherished trophy of a championship hockey team.Together, this peculiar quartet must combine their unique talents navigating both gargoyle-raising and crime-boss hunting. As they traverse the mountain metropolis of Multnomah, their hidden secrets gradually come to light, forging unbreakable bonds and solidifying their motley chosen family. And in the midst of it all, Gustopher surprises them with delightful…qualities, adding an extra dose of astonishment everywhere they go.Bonus content:sneak peek pages from Book 2a treasure hunt map that will lead you to all the real-life locations in the town the book is based on! Content details: This book is intended for adults, but can also be enjoyed by teenagers 13-18. The themes are positive masculinity, chosen family, friendship, and adoption.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Holly on September 27, 2023

I had the absolute pleasure of receiving thr ARC for Guarding Gus. It's a cozy, found family , fantasy with LGBTQ characters and positive masculinity. I really found this story so endearing.  Nico, Brant, Gus, Remi, and Jasper are all such interesting characters who bring a smile to my face. Though......more

Goodreads review by Karryn on August 31, 2023

Yeah, here's the thing. It's not a best seller yet until you buy it. But then it will be. I wrote it, so what do you think I'm going to say? :P I don't think it's perfect. But it's the pinnacle of the word "palette-cleanser".......more

Goodreads review by Steph 📚✨ on October 17, 2023

Disclaimer: I had the opportunity to beta read this book prior to publication, so please note that this review is based off of a prior draft and my notes were addressed. Overall, I found this to be a short, sweet, cozy fantasy read with heartwarming characters and low stakes. If you're looking for a......more

Goodreads review by KMart on October 12, 2023

Guarding Gus is a heartwarming contemporary fantasy that reminds me of the old movie Three Men and a Baby. The story follows the journey of three strangers: Nico (a transgender man), Brant (an ex-military baking enthusiast), and Remi (a vampire). They soon find themselves unexpectedly taking on the......more

Goodreads review by Kelsi on September 28, 2023

This was a fun read. Honestly, there were some things that annoyed me in the beginning, but they actually turned out to be part of the whole plot, so all my annoyances disappeared! And I'm saying it that way because I don't want to give that part of the plot any spoilers haha. Overall, the story was......more