Danger and desire go hand in hand…

When her little sister Robyn is kidnapped, Rhianne Carlson promises herself she’ll do anything to bring her home safely. Even if it means reluctantly teaming up with private security agent and former Navy SEAL Eric Cruz.

Despite his smoldering good looks and undeniable talents, Rhianne has never trusted this sinfully sexy agent. And she definitely doesn’t like his plan to pretend to be a decadent couple, in order to lure out the organized crime syndicate who’s taken Robyn. Eric’s taking his role way too seriously. All that touching and kissing. It’s enough to drive a girl mad…with lust.

Eric has always admired Rhianne. And now that they’re working together, he finds his admiration turning into something more. They’re getting way too good at pretending to be a couple. Their kisses seem all too real. But the danger they’re in is real too. And even though he knows Rhianne can handle herself, he can’t help feeling protective of her.

Can they fight for their lives, while also fighting off their mutual attraction? And if they manage to survive, does their growing love have a chance?

Titles in the Bronte Security Services series (trilogy) include — SEAL’s Pregnant One Night Stand —♥—  SEAL’s Fake Girlfriend —♥— SEAL’s Beautiful Ex —♥—

This is an adult 18+ story that may contain language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

Booksprout ARC

Possible Trigger Warning: Because of the discussion of sex trafficking – just be aware of it even if there are no explicit details.

Title:  SEAL’s Fake Girlfriend
Series:  Bronte Security Services #2
Author:  Leslie North
Genre:  Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense
Published:  July 21, 2022
Publisher:
My Rating:  4.5 stars

SEAL’s Fake Girlfriend continues the Bronte Security Services trilogy with a tense situation between Rhianne and Eric who seem to annoy each other from their first meeting.  While they know each other from working together back in their military days, they don’t really understand each other as they have totally different opinions on life and family – which is going to create some major issues between them now.  Rhianne left the Coast Guard when her mother and sister needed her to be more present in their lives and although she’s working with the local police as a Search and Rescue officer those who should have trusted her instincts about her missing sister simply brushed off her concerns because of Robyn’s history.  Now she’s turned to Charlie, and his new security operation for help in finding her missing sister… and ends up in a situation that she has little to no control over, and that rankles her already on edge emotions, big time.

When the only way to track and rescue Robyn is to pose as a married couple then the flames start to ignite between them.  Rhianne instinctively wants to rush in, Eric knows the way to save Robyn is a plan with backup in place.  Their arguments over this will escalate to the point that neither is really listening to the other, in spite of the passionate relationship they’ve begun.  And that fact just might end this mission, and relationship disastrously for everyone.

The villain here is particularly vile and it was quite easy to loathe him on sight, let alone his actions throughout the story.

I enjoyed SEAL’s Fake Girlfriend even though Rhianne was not my favorite character in this story.  I tried to put myself in her shoes, but her lack of trust issues and the way she went rogue on Eric simply didn’t endear her to me.  And, to be fair, Eric has a chip on his shoulder that could rival a boulder about family interactions, and it shows.  Frankly, this wasn’t my favorite couple of this series yet aside from that, what they faced in this situation kept me glued to the pages and getting over my discomfort with them rather quickly.

If you love a story with high heat between the couple, a very dangerous situation, and complete opposites finding a compromise, eventually, then SEAL’s Fake Girlfriend is a perfect match for you.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the author or author’s team via Booksprout. The opinions expressed in this review are my own – good, bad, or indifferent. I was not financially compensated for this review and no expectation of a positive review was promised.*

Available for the Kindle as this series/trilogy is currently in KU