Burn the World Down

Unsanctioned #1

by Anna Hackett

I’ll burn the world down for her.

Nash
I left my hometown behind. I joined the military, disappeared into black ops, and became a weapon for my country. I have no regrets. Except one with pretty hazel eyes. Now I’m retired, living a quiet life hiding in plain sight in Las Vegas. I still think of her. The prettiest girl I ever knew. My best friend’s little sister. But I swore to leave her alone to live a normal life. That I wouldn’t drag her into the darkness. Then I find out her life isn’t golden. She’s in danger and I have the right set of skills to save her.

Georgie
Your life can change in an instant. One second, you have a happy family and a crush on your brother’s best friend. The next, you’ve lost everyone you ever loved. My family is dead and my sister fell prey to a predator. A rich, connected man who promised her the world. And gave her hell instead. Now, I have nothing left but a burning need for vengeance. Until I collide with the boy who left me behind. A boy who’s now a tough, dangerous man. He says he’ll protect me. He says he’ll help me take down my sister’s killer. I might survive my revenge, but will I survive when he walks away from me again?

Genres: Romantic Suspense, Romance, Contemporary, Military Fiction, Military Romance, Contemporary Romance, Suspense

290 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 3, 2025

About the author

I’m a USA Today bestselling romance author who’s passionate about fast-paced, emotion-filled romantic suspense and science-fiction romance. I love writing about people overcoming unbeatable odds and achieving seemingly impossible goals. I like to believe it’s possible for all of us to do the same.

I love hearing from readers and you can find me on Facebook, Instagram and my website: www.annahackett.com

Reviews

[iremucka · Rating 2 out of 5]

Senin için Dünyayı Yakarım aka Her Yol Mübahhhhhh or Alayına GOES ❤️‍🔥

Seriye başlangıç olduğu için uzuuuuun bir tanıtımdan sonra olaylara giriyoruz. Kimi eski asker kimi eski suikastçı bütün yakışıklı tehlikeli adamlar Las Vegas’ da bir otelde toplanmış adeta emekliler için tatil köyü hesabı takılıyorlar, arada 1 poker atıyorlar.. Hepsinin ayrı sıkıntısı var falan filan...

Sonra bir gün erkek karakterimizin eski yavuklusu ondan yardım istemeye geliyor ve olaylar gelişiyor. Yazarın tarzını beğenmedim, güzel fikir, kötü uygulama. Bana anlatma göster bazı şeyleri.

Beğenmedim.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Lisa Bing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fab and fast paced series opener that is quite the high octane read. Georgie is such a tough gal, despite her thinking otherwise, and my heart went out to her for her losses. Nash, the best friend of Georgie's deceased brother, figured she was living her best life and it was best that he keep his broken self away from her. Well. When they bump into each other and he realizes what she's gone through, he and his misfit assassin friends are all-in to help her with her revenge plans... Expect to get caught up in this exciting read that brings all the drama, action, danger, hurt/comfort and some spice you can expect from this author's books. I can't wait to learn more about Nash's friends and see the gals they'll be matched with...and the mischief they'll have to deal with. Lol! Highly entertaining and I definitely recommend.

[Readiculous 📚🖤👱🏼‍♀️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romantic suspense is one of my favorite genres and I’ve read many books by Anna Hackett. So when I saw she wrote a new series I had to get my grubby hands on it. This book gave me everything I love about her books. A super protective, alpha man, a strong independent woman, a close brotherhood / found family, some damsel in distress moments (time for the hero to shine!), sweet romance and scorching spice. I loved it and had a hard time putting it down. Can’t wait for the next book!

Safety:
- No OW / OM
- No cheating
- No separation (though this is kind of a second chance. MCs kissed 10 years ago. Both not celibate in those ten years, but it isn’t really talked about. No mention of past partners.).
- No third act break up

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed it enough to try book 2

[RB · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ever since Anna stepped into the world of romantic suspense, I've struggled to get a satisfying read.

These last few series seemed a bit limp, with lots of super rich, super skilled dudes dropping the ball on plots and actual use of their skills. The female leads often fell into the TSTL category at important story points as well. Mostly, the stories were sometimes standard at best and bad at worst. I was really hoping this new series would be a return to Anna's previous flow in her earlier series.

This book really had me going with the action, the story (interesting despite being basic), and the characters. It was interesting-right up til about 55%. The plot started to meander and grind around with a good bit of repetitious dialogue while also hanging out there with no real propeller to push it forward. There was the repeated refusal of the MMC to do the deed even though the FMC was willing. It's like he worried his fabulously magic equipment would "hurt" her, while intoning that she "wasn't ready.". This dragging out of spice didn't work and wasn't believable. Then there was the constant comments by all the alphas about how they were going to help the FMC in her revenge journey. But all these highly skilled super secret dudes didn't build one plan. Not one. Instead, someone decided they should visit the nightclub owned by the snarky bad guy. Why? Uhm...well. Right. No reason, really. However it traumatized the FMC, who in true TSTL fashion, INSISTED she needed to go. This wasn't the last time the story showcased that unnecessary behavior.

Finally, they find out there's to be a grand party at Bad Guy's super swanky compound. Again, this isn't a plan devised by this cadre of amazing assassins/spies/Special Ops dudes, it's just an event they find out about. And of course, the FMC once again insists on going in on a scouting mission where they almost get caught. TSTL is one of my least favorite tropes but here it is.

Sadly, the big revenge scene gets interrupted when the SIX guys there aren't able to stop the Bad Guy from making off with the FMC during a garage face-off scene that is almost silly. Eventually they catch up with the villain and his kidnappee and they all make it except for the Bad Guy. The FMC shoots him. So she gets her revenge I guess.

Also, there was lots of talk about the new girl being actively abused by the Bad Guy, and how upsetting this is to the FMC as it reminds her of her dead sister's experience. But once the Bad Guy is vanquished, there's not one word about this gal. Did she escape? Was she rescued? No mention of her again.

Now, I know this sounds like a real nitpicky review. And honestly, it is. But I have loved Anna Hackett stories for years, and these more recent series make me sad! I'm thrilled that she has moved into a different genre. I didn't expect her to write about scifi romance forever. But she is really talented. Her early series were expertly paced with excellent plotlines, fascinating characters, and great spice. I keep reading these newer series and feeling like spaces are being skipped. Like plots are jerking forward and back like a bad transmission. Like the spice parts are landing wrong. And like the alpha leads feel too 2 dimensional without solid backstories. There's the overuse of TSTL behaviors, always by the FMC. It's hard to get embedded in a story like that.

I know for fact that Anna can write great romantic suspense. Pick up a copy of "Devlin" from her first series, Hell Squad. It starts with the leads captured by the enemy and how they finally escape. And man, the spice is frankly right off the charts. Although it's in a scifi setting of sorts, it's romantic suspense all the way. And it's fantastic.

That's the Anna Hackett book I want in this new series. So far, I'm not seeing it.

As a long time fan, I'm disappointed. It gives me no happiness to leave a harsh review.

[Ashley (Red-Haired Ash Reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Series: Unsanctioned #1
Rating: 5 stars - I loved it!

Nash Oakley left everything behind when he joined the military the disappeared into a secret black ops program to become an assassin for the country. His only regret was leaving behind his best friend's little sister, Georgiana Linden. He never sought her out after leaving the military because he expected her life to continue on as normal, but when he finds out her life has collapsed and she is in danger, he will stop at nothing to protect her.

“I’m not some fucking white knight….Good. I don’t need one. I need a dark one.”

From the first chapter, I was hooked on this story. Nash was an extremely dangerous, protective man with a heart of gold underneath his armor. He has basically been in love with Georgie since she was a teenager but never pursued anything because of his career as an assassin. Now that he has this chance with her he refuses to give her up and does everything he can to show her how much he cares. I loved how he pampered and took care of Georgie during all of this. He showed her what it's like to have a healthy partner and supportive family around you. Also, I loved that Nash grew orchids and named them after her! It was so sweet and adorable.

Georgie was a strong willed woman who refused to let her sister’s killer go free. She knows nothing about killing but doesn’t back down when she has the chance. I loved how strong she was and that she never gave up. She takes the training that Nash gives her (which I fucking loved that he started training her) and actually uses it. She doesn’t sit back and let Nash handle taking down these terrible men. She actively participates and kills, and I loved her for it.

“I’ll protect you. I’ll kill for you. Whatever you need. If anyone tries to hurt you, I’ll burn the world down for you.”

Nash and Georgie have a very intense and quick relationship. These two have been hot for each other since they were teens so their relationship moves fast, or as fast as Nash will let it. I loved how supportive Nash was of Georgie’s needing to help bring the men down and that he never stood in her way. He just helped support her and helped plan the missions. These two were just a great couple who showed that supporting your partner is key to a strong relationship, and having supportive friends helps.

This world of former assassins creating their own found family was fantastic. I loved all of Nash’s friends and how they are now living at the Avernus Casino as a family of misfits. We met a couple of the men in this and so far, I already love all of them and can’t wait to learn more about them, especially Alessio.

Overall, this was a fantastic start to a new series. I loved the strong heroine and the protective, yet supportive, hero and how their friends all jumped in to help. I really can’t wait to read the next one, which I hope is Bastian’s because I want to know more about him and the mysterious Lark.

TW: gun violence; death; murder of sibling; sex trafficking; rape; drug use; violence and physical abuse; mentions of death of parents and brother in military;

*ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.*

[Knjiga i Kavica · Rating 5 out of 5]

RECENZIJA
# 1 Burn the world down - Unsanctioned - Anna Hackett
5⭐️
Novi serijal od autorice sci -fi romana. Odličan akcijski triler koji spaja dugogodišnje prijatelje, ubojstvo, akciju, ljubav i iscjeljenje rana.
Nakon što joj ubiju sestru Georgie sama kreće u osvetnicki pohod protiv čovjeka koji ju je ubio. Put joj se slučajno ispreplete s bratovim prijateljem iz djetinjstva, Nash, koji uziva u zasluženoj mirovini. Kao što to često biva život piše najteže priče. Tako i ovdje imamo smrt dragih osoba, mučenje, nasilje i ubojstva. Sve to zapakirano u jedan odlican akcijski eksplozivan triler s kojim sam oduševljena. Premda mi njezin sci fi serijal nije sjeo, ovaj novi contemporary je odličan. Veselim se nastavcima i dogodovštinama omiljenih mi atentatora.
🗡🔝‼️🙂❤️

[Shyralf · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2 Stars! An ok read

[autwenreads · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was my first time reading from this author, but unfortunately, the story just didn’t hold my interest enough to continue. I struggled to connect with the pacing and overall execution, and by the time I decided to stop, I knew it wasn’t the right fit for me as a reader. While the premise had potential, it simply didn’t land for me personally.

As always, this is my experience — other readers may enjoy it more.

Thank you to The Author Agency and Anna Hackett for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Charissa Gracyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Assassins with Heart

Retired assassins? Yes, please! I am absolutely invested in this new world Anna has created. There's all the action and excitement we love her stories for having, plus a whole new crew of morally gray heroes to love. Nash and Georgie were fantastic. I loved seeing his softer side and how he grew orchids, while she was a fierce heroine out for vengeance. Super excited for Bastian and the woman determined to bring him down.

[Marlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

From a certain point of view, this is a bit of a forbidden fruit kind of romance. Once upon a time, Georgie was just the little girl who followed her older brother and his best friend around their small town – and Nash was that ‘big brother’s best friend’. She had a crush and he thought she was too young for him.

Until she wasn’t. And he noticed.

But fate intervened when Nash and Elliott enlisted in the Army, Elliott was killed in action and Nash and his grief were recruited into the kind of operations that get blacked out in someone’s service record. The kind of operations that Vander Norcross used to run. (I expect Norcross Security to show up sooner or later, as that particular match is delightfully obvious even from this first book in the series.)

By the time we meet Nash, and he meets Georgie again, the good, golden life he’s always imagined for her is nowhere to be found. She’s all alone in the world, not just her brother but also her parents and her sister have died. Her parents’ long drawn out illnesses took the family savings and both her and her sister’s dreams.

Her sister Viv died in Las Vegas, the victim of a serial user who took advantage of her dreams to make her life a nightmare. Now it’s Georgie’s turn for that nightmare – unless she gets him first. Permanently.

At least that’s her plan.

A plan that her old crush, Nash Oakley, now a retired assassin, can make come true for Georgie and the families of this particular scumbag’s victims – and his posse of scumbags because like calls to like. All he has to do is just get his head out of his daydreams to get behind (or in front, or wherever she’ll have him) the woman who has always haunted his dreams.

She’s ALREADY come to the dark side. It’s up to Nash to provide the help (and the cookies) she needs to make her dreams of vengeance come true. With the help of his very own posse of retired assassins who won’t care that this particular job is unsanctioned – because it’s righteous all the way down to the bone.

Escape Rating B: I wasn’t expecting this to be a holiday story. I just picked it up because I read ALL of this author’s work. Lo and behold, it IS a holiday story, so it fits right in with my #2025hohohorat reads! Serendipity for the WIN!

Nash Oakley has the world’s worst case of the “I’m not worthy’s”. Or he’s so wrapped up in his vision of who Georgie should be and the life she should have had that he’s initially utterly unable to deal with the woman in front of him. And I wanted to reach through my iPad and slap him with a clue-by-four for his self-serving idiocy. Because it IS self-serving and absolutely NOT Georgie-serving and he is being an idiot about it.

Not that Georgie doesn’t have her own share of problems, issues, and emotional baggage. Her attempts to get her sister out of the clutches of a serial abuser, Georgie’s ultimate failure to prevent that death along with nearly a year of chasing down every lead and walking down every blind alley in her desperate search to track her sister down in the first place steadily eroded her health, her nerves and most of all, her trust in anyone other than herself.

Her recent beating at the hands of that scumbag’s posse may fuel her resolve but also destroys her sleep with nightmares. She’s on her last nerve and everything else that goes along with it when she learns that Nash is somewhere in Vegas.

At first, he turns her down. None of his dreams of her include her walking on the dark side with him, to the point that he can’t get out of his own head to see that she’s already there. As I said, the application of a clue-by-four is required – and it gets delivered in the form of another beatdown. Nash does get his head out of his ass to run to her rescue. Finally.

Once he’s in, he’s all the way in. And so are his buddies, his fellow retired assassins who may be a bit bored with retirement but got out with at least a bit of their souls. Souls that are perfectly willing to commit an unsanctioned hit to help Nash get Georgie the vengeance – and the closure – that she’s more than earned.

Burn the World Down turned out to be a good reading time for my post-Turkey coma Thanksgiving evening, and it does a terrific job of setting up the author’s new Unsanctioned series.

One caveat that isn’t exactly fair, is that I haven’t liked most of the author’s recent series covers, and I’m not all that fond of this one, either (picture at right for comparison). OTOH, the Special Edition paperback covers have been gorgeous. I want to say that your reading mileage may vary, but the book is the same regardless of the artwork on the cover. This time around at least we get to see the cover model’s whole, entire head and face, which wasn’t true for Team 52, Norcross Security OR Sentinel Security. Perhaps I should say that ‘your ogling mileage may vary’.

Another niggle that is ‘fair’ in that it is about the story, but is probably a ‘me’ thing is that the alternating first person perspectives doesn’t work as well for me as either a single first-person POV or a third person perspective whether or not that POV is omniscient or not. Your reading mileage may definitely vary on that, but once Nash got his act together I liked his perspective more than Georgie’s.

(Ironically, on multiple counts, the trope that powers this book, older brother’s best friend crush, is the same as the trope in Snow Place Like Home, which is also an alternating first-person perspective story and I LIKED it there. So now I have to figure out whether I liked that one better because of the particular audio narrators, or just that I listened to the book instead of reading it myself, or that I liked it because the story was shorter, or whether it’s something less obvious that I need to get a handle on. C’est la reading vie and all that.)

Nevertheless, and in spite of creating a bit of a research project for myself, I’m all in on finding out what happens – or who happens – next in the Unsanctioned series. Based on the shenanigans at the very end of THIS book, the next book in the series, No Matter the Cost, will feature Bastian and the rogue assassin who keeps trying to kill him, and we’ll get to find out how THAT situation manages to work itself out sometime in January.

Originally published at Reading Reality

[Yvonne S · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately, this one did not pull me in

Burn The World Down, book one in Anna Hackett’s new Unsanctioned series, was unfortunately my first DNF from this author. The characters—especially Georgie—were unlikeable from the start, and I couldn’t justify spending more time being aggravated by an unlikeable FMC.

Nash Oakley is a retired assassin living in Las Vegas with his band of brothers, also retired assassins. His life feels empty and bland, haunted by thoughts of the girl he left behind ten years ago when he joined the military. That girl is Georgie Linden, the younger sister of his childhood friend Elliot. When she was seventeen and he twenty-one, they shared a kiss that has haunted him ever since. Nash stayed away from his hometown in Idaho, believing he was giving Georgie the chance at a “perfect” life. Unbeknownst to him, her life was anything but perfect. Over the past decade, she lost her entire family—the most recent loss just two weeks before the story begins. Her younger sister was abused and killed by a man pretending to be trustworthy, and that same man now torments Georgie with pictures and videos of her sister’s suffering. Set on revenge, Georgie heads to Las Vegas to avenge her sister’s death and to find Nash, as her brother once told her to seek him out if she ever needed help. Georgie, it turns out, has never stopped pining for Nash.

I’ve loved many of this author’s series—Norcross Security, Fury Brothers, Sentinel Security, Hell Squad, Team 52, and Treasure Hunters Security—all of which gave me hours of enjoyment. Sadly, her recent offerings haven’t delivered the same satisfaction. The FMCs in these newer books suffer from TSTL syndrome and seem driven almost entirely by lust. They can’t have a single thought without fantasizing about sex with the MMC, and because of this, they throw themselves at him repeatedly, only to be rejected time and again. It’s a pattern I’ve seen in other romance novels as well, where the FMC is made to suffer for love. That only makes them come across as desperate and lacking self-respect in my view.

Such is the case with Georgie. After ten years of not seeing Nash, she’s still hung up on him. Keep in mind she was practically a child at seventeen when she last saw him. In the intervening years, her brother died, her father died, and most recently her sister died—and Nash didn’t show up for any of the funerals. Yet Georgie kept waiting for him to return. Ten years. Waiting a decade for a teenage crush to come back feels desperate, and it told me immediately that I wasn’t going to enjoy her character. Still, I persevered.

Georgie sets out to avenge her sister with no training and no plan, and predictably gets beaten up badly. Two weeks later she tries again, this time with a gun. She spots the bad guys outside a club and starts shooting wildly. Within seconds she’s captured and beaten again. Nash swoops in to save her, but even while recovering from her injuries, Georgie insists she wants to kill the men who killed her sister—still with no training or plan. And when she had the chance, she couldn’t pull it off. But that’s not all… Georgie, in a pain-filled haze, still had the wits about her to feel desire for Nash and to reflect on how “sexy” Landon’s (the doctor who treated her injuries) voice sounded. She was seriously beaten to a pulp but that didn’t stop the “jolt of desire” crashing through her. Still, I persevered.

Almost fully recovered, Georgie’s thoughts are consumed by how sexy Nash is and how badly she wants him. Practically every thought revolves around jumping him. Nash resists because of her injuries, but Georgie presses on—asking him to kiss her, lusting after him when he takes down troublemakers, and asking “Don’t you want me” when he tells her he won’t give her what she wants while she’s still healing. At the 50% mark, I gave up. I couldn’t spend another two hours with an FMC acting like a dog in heat.

Georgie, who went looking for Nash (to help her with her revenge) suddenly had a problem telling Nash (when he found her) what her issues were. Why did she look for him in the first place? Her confrontation with the bad guys also came across as reckless and not badass. I honestly did not feel an inch of sympathy for her when they got the gun away from her and proceeded to beat her up. And that’s a problem for me. If I can’t muster sympathy for the FMC, the story is uphill from there.

Nash himself didn’t come across as alpha. His demeanor didn’t align with his supposed profession, and the tired “I’m not good enough for her” trope dragged him down further.

The chemistry between them was nonexistent. They’d shared one kiss when Georgie was a teen, and after a decade apart they were essentially strangers. Yet suddenly, after a barrage of lustful thoughts from Georgie and a few from Nash, she was kissing him and begging for more. Almost immediately she started thinking of him as “my assassin,” and he had his “mine” moment. Based on what? Honestly, I felt nothing.

Unfortunately, my experience with this book was not good. I miss the author’s older works. They pulled me in and entertained me for hours. These latest ones, though… Maybe they’re just not for me.

[Nova McCormack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full disclosure, I’m a huge Anna Hackett fan. I can’t even tell you how many of her books I’ve read, but I am over the moon that I was offered the opportunity to read the first book in a new series. And you all are not ready!

My sister got involved with the wrong man. Promises of fame, money, and a fast track to stardom pulled her in, and she trusted him, the man who claimed he could make her dreams come true. But he wasn’t who he said he was. He manipulated her, used her, broke her, and she paid the ultimate price.

Now he’s at it again, already sinking his claws into a new shiny toy to break. But I won’t let it happen. I know I can’t do this alone, so I reach out to the one person who owes me more than a simple favor, Nash. The man I once waited for, the man who left me with a shattered heart. When I find him, he’s different. Hardened. Hollowed out. But the spark he ignites in me is fierce and impossible to ignore.

Nash and his merry band of retired assassins agree to help, but being near him is its own kind of danger. I’ve already lost everything, and I don’t know if I can risk opening my heart again. But I can’t help the connection building with the man beneath his hard exterior.

I can’t help but hope this dark knight could be my savior in more ways than one.

I just don’t know how she does it. These books somehow build beautiful, intricate connections in under 300 pages. There is always a soul-deep found family element, and these hot, capable men are always saving the day, in and out of the bedroom! wink wink

This book is the perfect springboard for the rest of the series. We get a Vegas setting and a delicious crew of multi-faceted assassins I’m already desperate for more of. And we’re starting with Nash, former black ops assassin, now working as a security consultant for hotels, still adjusting to a quieter, more stable but lonely life. He’s left his past behind, but his best friend’s little sister, Georgie, is never far from his thoughts. They never got their chance before; they only had one kiss before everything changed, and he’s not about to let her slip away again.

Georgie has been through it. She’s lost so much, and her sister was her last bit of light until it was snuffed out. She’s full of wrath and vengeance, and honestly, I was right there with her. She had her whole life ahead of her until tragedy tore everything apart. Now she has nothing to lose, but teaming up with Nash, training with him, and fighting alongside him is giving her something back. She’s not just fighting for her revenge; she’s fighting to take her life back.

Nash and Georgie’s past is laid out so well that when they find each other again, their connection burns hot, fast, and deep. After all the loss and tragedy they’ve endured, they find something soft and comforting in one another, a safe space they both lost, someone to care for and someone who cares for them. Someone who would literally burn the world down for them. It is also a reminder of a time when there was hope for a chance at each other. It was beautiful.

I am so ready for book 2!

Thank you to The Author Agency and Anna Hackett for this gifted e-copy.

[Flex Fler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to The Author Agency and Anna Hackett for the free ARC. All opinions are my own in the following ARC Review.

Genres: Romantic Suspense
Tropes: Best Friend’s Sister, Former Assassin, Revenge, Pining, Protective Hero, Always Been You, Found Family
MC: Georgie (FMC), Nash (MMC)
Setting: Las Vegas
Triggers: death of family, grief, description of physical, emotional, sexual abuse, assault

Synopsis: Former assassin Nash has built a quieter life in Las Vegas alongside his other retired assassin friends, who think he is lonely in his new life. They’re not wrong, since he’s never gotten over his childhood crush, Georgie. However, Georgie arrives in Vegas, seeking Nash’s help in getting revenge on the men responsible for her sister’s death. He refuses, until she attempts to confront the men on her own, forcing him to step in. Nash promises to train Georgie, and as they learn more information surrounding her sister’s death, they are drawn closer together, reigniting feelings neither ever forgot. With help from Nash’s friends, they infiltrate a high-profile party and take down everyone involved in her sister’s death. Afterward, Georgie stays in Vegas, finds a fresh start with a new job, and spends Christmas with Nash and his friends. Finally ready and able to build a life with him.

Thoughts: I’m a huge Anna Hackett fan, and she hit it out of the park again! This was a great start to a new series, and I liked all the new characters introduced. Nash and Georgie both come from tragic pasts, and I wish they reached out to each other sooner. You could feel the deep longing they both felt for the other, which lead to some incredible tension and chemistry when finally meeting again. I loved how accepting Georgie was about Nash’s life, which allowed him to forgo his fears and be with her. They were so sweet on each other; I loved reading them as a couple. Their hearts had already found their perfect match, and just needed the right timing to come together again. I’m glad Georgie and Nash were able to lean on each other when it really mattered. I absolutely loved all the guys. I can’t wait to read Bastian’s book next, especially after that exciting ending. His little assassin adversary seems very intriguing. I think we’ll be in for another page-turning read.

[Linda Whitacre · Rating 5 out of 5]

5++ STARS Evil must be taken down.
Nash spent over 10 years serving our country as a deadly assassin, and retirement never looked so good. His new life is in Las Vegas…no more solitary missions in hellish places. It’s sun, friends, and a slowed-down lifestyle. Somehow, his close group of friends shares his history, and each man is retired from those cold, hard jobs. Big, tough Nash has mastered a delicate hobby, growing orchids, and it softens this cold, vicious story. Nash has one regret, and that’s Georgie, his best friend’s little sister. When Nash left home for the military, he never returned. His thoughts often wander to her and their one kiss…but by now, she’s probably married with kids. NOT! Georgie, in the past ten years, has watched her parents die, her brother die serving our country, and now her beloved baby sister Vivienne. The difference is that Viv was promised a career in music, only to be brutalized, raped, shared, used up, and then left dead in an alley. Georgie wants revenge, but these monsters are rich, entitled, and surrounded by lots of muscle. She’s gotten in their face several times and suffered horrible beatings for it, but she will never stop. She’s looking up her old friend Nash. When Nash finds the person who has tracked him down, he’s shocked that it’s his Georgie…she is not the happy, safe woman he thought …she’s rail thin, covered in bruises, and using a stun gun on some guy in a dark alley! Reunited, they are in this fight together, with the added help from Nash’s friends.
I swear I cried over Georgie’s losses and my joy that Nash was there. The story is a balanced dark/evil vs kindness/breath of fresh air…Nash and Georgie deserved happiness, and when the bad guys got their butts kicked, they got it. I loved being back in Vegas…I love love love the closeness Nash’s fellow assassins have. Their future stories will be so good. This is going to be such an awesome series. Linda

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

We're in LV where a group of former assassins are trying their hand at living normal lives. Mostly. Which isn't to say they're doing a bad job at that normal life thing, but that all have quirks and skill sets outside the societal norm and sometimes they need to stretch those muscles (for good reasons, now!).

Nash and his friends (his family, really, and I do love a good found family dynamic) are doing their thing when Nash realizes the woman asking about him is none other than the girl he left behind. The one he thinks is too good for him. The one who is on a path that she's not trained for and might end up destroying her.

Honestly, even if it hadn't been Georgie needing him, I think Nash still would have done what he did when he stepped in. Sure, he likely wouldn't have fallen in love with anyone else (and by "likely" I mean "definitely"), but he would have still done everything in his power to help anyone else in Georgie's situation. Because that's the kind of guy he (and his found family!) is.

Which brings us to Georgie. She's heartbroken about her sister, running on fumes and the need for vengeance, and her plan to get the man who hurt her sister isn't exactly fool-proof. As she finds out when rushing him and his bodyguards ends badly. Having Nash on her side is unexpected. Sure, she went looking for him, but she didn't expect to find him and she didn't realize how badly she needed the emotional support of someone who had her back until he was there for her.

A little danger, a bad man who exploits starry-eyed women, found family (love!), a former assassin who is exactly the man Georgie needs, and a woman who knows a good man when she finds him. *thumbs up* to the start of another fantastic series!

-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal

[bookishWife · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can’t say I’m a big fan of this story. Nash has been living under the radar because of his past job, which attracted numerous threats. He never looked back—except when it came to his best friend’s sister, who has always lingered in his thoughts. Despite having plenty of resources, he never sought her out, convinced himself she was better off without him. In his mind, she was living a perfect, fairy-tale life. Fate, of course, had other plans.

Gracie’s life is nothing like Nash’s misguided assumptions, and their paths eventually cross. Caught off guard, Nash makes the frustrating decision to let Gracie pursue her own revenge (seriously, why?) before realizing how dangerous that choice is. While Nash and his band of brothers work together to take down a disturbing predator, I still couldn’t bring myself to fully like Gracie as a character.

First, her pursuit of revenge feels reckless. She’s hot-headed to the point of being self-destructive—like a malfunctioning bomb ready to detonate at any moment—yet she lacks the skills to back up her bravado. She has no basic self-defense training, but still goes after powerful men without proper preparation or strategy. Instead of planning, she just charges in guns blazing, which feels unrealistic and careless.

Second, she’s painfully impatient. Even when everyone rallies behind her and a solid plan is in place, she refuses to think things through. She constantly challenges careful, methodical strategies, choosing impulsive action over reason. It’s frustrating to read.

Overall, it’s rare for me to dislike a female main character—women support women—but this FMC felt rushed, impulsive, and not level-headed enough for the scale of the enemy she was facing. Aiming for a powerful antagonist without the patience or preparation to match felt like a recipe for disaster, and it ultimately dampened my enjoyment of the story.

[JP · Rating 2 out of 5]

OK story, but timeline and editing issues

I’m starting to know Ms. Hackett more for the “that doesn’t make sense” parts of her books than for the otherwise enjoyable parts of her stories. And, as usual, there are quite a few errors that likely would have been caught by a basic proofread…I wish she’d hire someone or do an ARC so these could be caught. Referring to one character alternately as Cole or Colt should have been an easy catch…hopefully that won’t happen in his own book.

Anyway, the biggest error was Nash watching on camera as she attacks her targets, fails (because of course she does), and starts to get beat up. He somehow teleports from the casino security office to save the day, on foot, to her location which is not close to the casino. In Las Vegas, it can take 10 minutes to walk to the casino next door, much less somewhere far away. So were they beating her up on the street for 20 minutes, in public view?

Either way, her “injuries” don’t match two adult body guards whaling on her for ANY amount of time. Kind of like Nash’s lack of injury after being hit in the head with a tire iron. TWICE.

Also, the bad guy wouldn’t have slumped forward after being dispatched if he was hanging upside down in a wrecked car. And Nash jumping off the speeding car right before it crashed and not being hurt at all? Come on…I want to read a romance novel set somewhat in reality (even when not convenient), not a Marvel comic book.

Anyway…not a big fan of the FMC…she’s the typical, naive “spitfire” who grossly overestimates her intelligence and skills and ends up becoming a liability to herself and others. But we’re supposed to like her because she’s stubborn and determined.

But I guess if she didn’t do stupid things to get herself in trouble, she wouldn’t need to be rescued and we wouldn’t have a book.

[Nαdiαн · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A gripping, high-intensity romantic suspense that hits hard

Burn the World Down delivers exactly what it promises—a fierce, emotionally charged tale where love, danger, and vengeance collide.

The story follows Nash, a former black-ops soldier trying to live quietly after a lifetime of shadows. But his peace doesn’t last long—especially when the girl he once cared deeply for, his best friend’s younger sister, is dragged into a deadly situation only someone with his particular skill set can handle. His voice is raw, protective, and filled with the kind of longing that makes every page hum with tension.

Then there’s Georgie, whose life has been shattered by unimaginable loss. Her grief—and the fiery determination born from it—give the book real emotional weight. She isn’t just a damsel in distress; she’s fierce, hurting, and driven by vengeance. Her reunion with Nash is loaded with unresolved feelings and sparks that ignite instantly.

What makes the book compelling is the dual POV. Both characters are scarred, both have something to prove, and both are bracing for the moment when their mission ends and they might lose each other again. The stakes—emotional and physical—stay high from start to finish.

Expect:
🔥 Intense chemistry
⚔️ High-action suspense
💔 Real emotional trauma and healing
💞 A protective, dangerous hero and a heroine with a steel spine
🏙️ A gritty Las Vegas backdrop that amplifies the danger

If you enjoy romance where the heat matches the danger, and where two broken people fight like hell for each other, this one will keep you turning pages late into the night.

[Tori'Emma Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC Review✨

Anna has taken a whole new turn with this new series, and I'm here, and I'm loving it! This book is on par with Savannah and Hunt's book (Norcross Security #7)

Nash is an unsanctioned assassin who now lives in Vegas with other assassins. Can I just say, even though he's Mr tough guy to find out he has a flower garden and plants and cultures new ones made him far up on my top favourite Anna Hackett MMC's, like omg.

Georgie has lost everything and now has nothing to lose, her parents gone, her brother killed in Action and now her sister murdered. Viv's death is the last straw for Georgie, and she wants revenge, and who's better to help to dish out this revenge? Oh, I don't know, a highly skilled government trained assassin. Who also has other deadly assassins as friends?

I honestly couldn't put this book down and ate it up! You have the hard parts, you have the really dark parts but when it really matters our book boyfriends don't let their women down, they fight tooth and nail to protect them and Nash is Georgie's protector.

If you want something highly actioned packed along with the sweet and savoury then, Burn the world down is just right up your ally! And can we just like talk about the new highly dangerous but hot men in this series, like come on, give a girl a break! ;)

Thank you to The Author Agency and Anna Hackett for the opportunity to read and review Burns the world down.

Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5/5
Plot: 5/5
Overall: 5/5

[Kim (Chipperbooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Burn the World Down
(Unsanctioned #1)
Nash and Georgie

Nash fills his days walking around the casino that he lives at. Sure, he has a greenhouse that he loves, and he helps with consulting for security, but his life is very different than it once was. He, and his friends, were once assassins so life is kind of boring now that he is retired. His friends are all retired also, but they have all found another passion so to speak, or at least something to keep them busy. But Nash is just going through the motions.

Georgie is numb. She has lost everything. Everyone she loves, gone. The only thing keeping her going is the revenge and Justice she wants to see through. But she realizes quickly that she may need help. The boy she still thinks about. The boy she waited for…but he never came back. She remembers what her brother told her, so she tries to find him. Nash. The end result isn’t exactly what she planned or hoped. She really is alone…until she isn’t.

Such a great book to start off this series. Great world building from the start. Nash’s friends…they are already intriguing and I look forward to reading about each of them. Enough information to keep them engaging and leaving you wanting more. Love the friend dynamics. They have all been through a lot and no doubt they will be there for each other. Love Nash and Georgie. They have the past to connect them and an instant connection. Lots of chemistry. I do wish there would have been a bit more, as the story ends quickly, but hopefully we will get that in other books. A few loose ends but that doesn’t really take away from the story. This reads fast, it’s not too long, entertaining from beginning to end. Great start. Great book! Definitely recommend.
Thank you #TheAuthorAgency

[♡︎ Kesa Subban ♡︎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

ꍏꋪꏳ ꋪꏂ꒦ꀤꏂꅐ
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨 - 𝖭𝖺𝗌𝗁
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐞 - 𝖦𝖾𝗈𝗋𝗀𝗂𝖾
4.5 𝘉𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬
𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐎𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧

Georgie, she lost her parents and brother. And that pain never went away, but the pain becomes even more unbearable when she looses her sister in the cruelest way. She's out for revenge, she wants the men who hurt Viv to pay, but she can't do it alone.

Nash, he signed up for the Navy when he was young. His purpose was to serve his country. And then he joined a black ops unit and became a dangerous weapon and one of the best assassins. He now lives as a civilian in Las Vegas, going through the motions but not living as he should.

Book one in the Unsanctioned series and it was the perfect introduction to this new crew.

Georgie thought Nash was her future when she was younger, but he never returned home, and Nash believed she deserved better then what he was and knew with 100% certainty that she was safe and living a happy life. Until she comes looking for him and he realises that her life hasn't been sunshine and roses.

He will burn the world down to keep her safe, and she needs to get her revenge to move on.

And while they plan the take down of the man responsible for Vivs death, the feelings they once had comes back full force. The chemistry and spice is 🔥

Amazing read.

𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬

Bastian, Cole, Alessio & Landon 🔥♥️
The buildup to Sebastian's book was so epic, can't wait for it.

𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨 🔫🔫🔫🔫🔫
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐞 🔫🔫🔫🔫🔫
𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 🥵
𝐏𝐥𝐨𝐭 📚📚📚📚.5
𝐄𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 💧

[Nikki Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

What in the heck has Anna put in this book! I usually read her books in one sitting and this was no exception, except I then went and read read it (which I never do) just in case I missed something. I am on a complete mission to get more hitmen with a heart books!

Nash loved his best friends little sister but she was way too young for him at the time and then his best friend died and he got sucked into a black ops programme. His one hope was that Georgiana was living a good life in their small home town. He wanted her uncontaminated by the dark that he lives and works in. He even lives with a group of fellow hitmen/secret agents/reformed bad guys.

Georgie has not had that good life. Everyone she loves has died except Nash and he disappeared into the ether. She is in trouble and she really needs a friendly face so she heads to Las Vegas to try and track down Nash. From the moment they reconnect he's in overprotective mode, she's trying to get him to see that he's not the walking nightmare he thinks he is.

Nash may be this lethal warrior but he's complete goo when it comes to Georgie. The man tends flowers! He's a great friend. He's the owner of a growly demeanour that'd have me in heaven in no time flat! His little dysfunctional family of hitmen all come running when he needs them.

Georgie may think she's a damsel in distress and out of her element but this woman has a spine of steel, a heart full of courage and so much love to give. She doesn't want a handout or someone to take over - she wants someone who'll stand beside her and support her decisions and Nash does that in spades!

“I’ll protect you. I’ll kill for you. Whatever you need. If anyone tries to hurt you, I’ll burn the world down for you.”

The Avernus Casino is home to this wily, lethal band of misfits and I cannot wait to get to know the guys better - especially one particular hitmen now Doctor.

TW: guns/violence/death/murder of sibling/drug use/sexual assault (off page)/sex trafficking/rape

[Carey S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nash used to be an assassin. He grew up in Idaho and had a best friend, who died while in the service. That best friend had a little sister, Georgie, and at one time, Nash really liked her. Once he became an assassin, he figured he was too stained with the blood of others to ever deserve a good woman like Georgie. So he stayed away, believing that she was happy and likely married to a good guy. That is not the case. Georgie is all alone now, as her entire family is now dead. She has hunted for Nash for years, but he doesn’t want to be found. Georgie is in Vegas to avenge the murder of her sister. She’s made a couple of attempts so far, as she knows who killed her, and she’s been assaulted and beaten because of it. It turns out that Nash has the skills she needs to make a more successful attempt at vengeance for her sister’s murder. And Nash is close friends with several people who also have the skills she needs.

This story is very entertaining, considering the seriousness of the premise. There are some heartbreaking parts, but the good parts far outweigh the tough stuff. This is a well-written, interesting story that flows well and is hard to put down. The pace is steady and the protagonists are very likable. It involves a ‘found family’ of men (and the women they fall for) who are all living in separate quarters on the grounds of a casino, believe it or not!

[Bertha Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

WARNING: This book contains intense and descriptive sex scenes.

If it were possible, I would like Anna Hackett to write the script for my next life: the male protagonist can be described with a single word: Yummy!, the female protagonist is a strong woman who does not give up, no matter what life throws at her, and the plot is always interesting, intense, and never boring.

Burn the World Down is the first book in the new Unsanctioned series, about the adventures of a group of friends living in Las Vegas, including the owner of one of the city's most luxurious casinos, an orchid grower, and a doctor, who, one by one, will find their other half as the series progresses.
Oh! I almost forgot one tiny, tiny detail: they're a group of highly trained retired assassins.

The first book tells the story of Nash and Georgie, and as is tradition in books written by Ms. Hackett, action and romance abound. This is one of those books you shouldn't start at night if you have to work the next day. Highly recommended for mature readers.

I thank the author for the opportunity to read this book and I wish her success with his new series. I already want to read the next book!

The opinion I have expressed above is based solely on what I think and feel about this book.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌟🌟🌟🌟
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Burn the World Down is book #1 in the Unsanctioned Series. This was a great start to the series and I loved Nash and Georgie❤️

Nash is a retired assassin who is feeling underwhelmed lately. He has lost allot of people he cares about the most important one was his best friend and the girls he never went back for. Nash thinks that Georgie is out living this great life and when he finds out what's really going on he will protect her with his life.

Georgie just can't catch a break 😩 She has lost her whole family and the one person who said that they would come back for her didn't. Now she is going to handle everything on her own. Trying to take down the person who hurt you sister is harder than it looks so she turns to the person who never came back for help (Nash).

I loved it that Georgie was strong and independent! She wanted to do the taking down and get revenge for her sister. Nash gives her the training and support to do it. What happens when the mission is over? Will Nash leave her again? I also loved Nash's friends who are also former assassins. They have their own little retired assassin community 🗡️ This was a great start to the series and I can't wait to read what comes next.

#BurnTheWorldDown #AnnaHackett #BestFriendsSisterRomance #UnsanctionedSeries #romanticsuspense

[Angels · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing read that delves into revenge, love, and redemption.

Nash, a former Navy member turned civilian in Las Vegas, was once a skilled assassin in a black ops unit. He now lives a mundane life, haunted by his past.

Georgie lost her parents and brother, and the pain never faded. It becomes unbearable when she cruelly loses her sister. Seeking revenge, she wants the men who hurt Viv to pay, but she can't do it alone.

The chemistry between them ignites, adding spice to their mission. Georgie is the perfect match for the man Nash has become. This woman is no pushover and, strong-willed. Maybe a little too headstrong because her own safety was at risk time and time again.

The entire cast of characters was fantastic, especially the family Nash has now; they may not be blood, but they bond, they all have gone way beyond blood ties, and they would die for one another without a second thought.

Overall, this was a fantastic read that captivated the plot you, keeping you engrossed in the pages. It was full of emotion, suspense, sadness, second chances, new beginnings, and found family, and explosive chemistry between its main characters. We loved it and are looking forward to seeing the next book in this series.

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nash

First book is with Nash and his best friends sister, yes that storyline is not new BUT this is different why you say, firstly Georgia back storyline is very tragically sad. In this book she says "everyone I have ever loved is dead" you want to cry with her, it start off with her sister just been killed after she tried to save her but got badly beaten, the grit in this women make you want to grab a bat and stand tall next to her (sorry I am only 5Ft 2ins) her brother told her once it she needed anyone call nash because his secret job was making him bad ass. I did wonder if Elliot was still alive but gone dark like CIA operative or something it was like a goodbye his last call? Or just dangerous job maybe? (Will not be shocked if he shows up later you never know)
This author do think outside the box and you often get cameos from characters in other series.So if you think I know that name, you probably do.
This is not ex military men setting up a security service, this is ex military/ assassins hanging out at a casino owned by one of them. (Best to be friends with all of them so none comes to kill you, right) I loved the friendship very funny at times.
Looks like Sebastian is next with crazy assassin lark.

[Spinneretta · Rating 4 out of 5]

good

GEORGIE AND NASH

Georgie was the younger sister of Nash’s best friend, off limits, and yet everything he ever dreamed of. She was also the woman he decided to steer clear of, fearing his past as a sanctioned assassin made him too flawed for her.

Georgie has lost everyone she ever loved, her younger sister was brutalized and murdered by a man with enough wealth and power to make sure he is never caught. Determined to right the wrong done to her sister, Georgie has vowed revenge.

When their paths cross in Vegas, Nash is stunned to hear what happened, and when Georgie is hurt, he vows to make sure it never happens again.

This is the typical, fast paced and action filled read I have come to expect from Anna Hackett. With a few steamy scenes, and plenty of action from some ex-assassins, it’s an enjoyable (if not quite believable) read. There were times I was groaning at the characters for wrong-headed thinking, because they certainly had their moments, but it still made for an entertaining and quick read.

If you love action filled romances, with a little suspense and a pinch of spice, then you’ll love this new series from Anna Hackett.