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Team 52 #7

Mission: Her Shield

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She’s the one woman he’s always wanted and the one woman he’ll never let himself have, but former Delta Force soldier Axel will risk everything to save his covert team’s beautiful archeologist.

Axel Diaz knows that fighting the bad guys requires getting down in the muck. He’s done too much and seen too much to ever inflict his nightmares on a woman. Especially a gorgeous, smart archeologist who ignites his blood like no one else. Axel focuses on his work with the covert, black ops Team 52. He’ll work alongside Dr. Natalie Blackwell as they safeguard pieces of ancient technology, but he’ll never let himself touch her.

Then everything changes when Nat calls for help. Her archeology conference in Greece has gone horribly wrong…

Dr. Natalie Blackwell loves her work with Team 52. A lonely childhood and an indifferent family have taught her to be independent. She’s been attracted to Axel for a long time, but refuses to be another notch on his very notched bedpost. But when she finds herself in terrible danger, being hunted by something terrifying, all she wants around her are Axel’s muscled arms. She is in the fight for her life, and she’s praying her team—and the man she can’t resist—can find her in time.

244 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 19, 2020

1044 people are currently reading
305 people want to read

About the author

Anna Hackett

162 books2,911 followers
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

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 152 reviews
Profile Image for AvidReader.
1,474 reviews330 followers
August 24, 2020
4.5 stars ⭐️.
The Greek mythology aspect of the story was done well. As was the action and the chase. Loved the characters and excited for the next book.
Safe and recommended.
Profile Image for Marta Cox.
2,859 reviews210 followers
April 21, 2020
Four and a half
Wow this starts in such a way that immediately the reader is thrown in at the deep end. Natalie is an archaeologist who works sometimes with the elite, secretive Team 52 and she is literally running for her life ! Something strange and at the same time unbelievable has taken her and her only hope is that Team 52 will get to her before whatever has kidnapped her does ! Nat isn't going down without a fight but what can she do ? Hope that the gorgeous , teasing Axel and the rest of his friends will find her obviously but first of all just what has happened to her fellow archaeologist ?
This was a fabulous, action packed ride that certainly started as it meant to go on. Axel and Nat have previously been circling around each other in previous books so the romance here perhaps didn't feel too much like an instant romance which I personally don't particularly care for. I absolutely adored the fact that the author took inspiration from mythology and as thrilling as that was there are new bad guys for the Team to wrestle with. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and can only wait with bated breath for the next book in this series.
This voluntary take is of an advanced copy and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair


Profile Image for Julie Miller.
Author 295 books369 followers
September 21, 2022
A thoroughly enjoyable, steamy read.

My only complaint is that everyone is completely beautiful/handsome in this series. Even the characters with scars and disabilities. It's hard to relate. Some of the characters have some real issues (for example, Axel has PTSD, and Nat has abandonment issues), but we're told about them more than we're shown. Probably why I like crusty old Arlo so much. He seems real. But that's just the author's style. Her focus is more on the other elements. And maybe, with the sci-fi elements, the perfect, larger-than-life characters fit. The storytelling is amazing. Such a good, action-packed adventure. And the nerd in me loves all the historical and scientific references and clues.
Profile Image for Shauna.
356 reviews7 followers
June 18, 2020
I don't like man whores. If the hero wanted the heroine, he shouldn't have been screwing around with other women- having a bunch of one night stands. Why would she want him after seeing him sleep around all the time? If he truly cared about her he wouldn't have been able to bring himself to sleep with a bunch of women- throwing it right in her face... dnf
Profile Image for Christina (stinarinareads).
413 reviews382 followers
April 24, 2025
4✨
1.5🌶️

Another fabulous entry to a nearly consistently good series that promises action, adventure, and an “it’s always been you” romance.

🏺action adventure romance
🏺archaeologist FMC x security agent MMC
🏺teammates-to-lovers
🏺it’s always been you, but I don’t deserve you
🏺fighting feelings

Axel and Natalie are both members of Team 52, a secret group of former military who keep the world safe from magical and mysterious threats to humanity, sometimes out of the history books themselves.

Axel is a man haunted by his military work but finding new purpose with Team 52, and Natalie is their resident archaeologist. The two have been dancing around their attraction for years, with Axel believing he would never deserve someone like Natalie, and would never allow his demons to taint her. So he convinces himself it could never be.

Natalie is a woman who yearns for the love she never received growing up, and she’s becoming increasingly, fearfully, aware of the fact that she wants it with Axel. But can she convince him to open up his heart to find the love they both deserve in each other? Maybe it’ll take a little danger to find out.

Very big Greek mythology roots in this one, specifically around the myth of the Minotaur. I always love how Hackett weaves together history and the modern to make an all around engaging and intriguing plot.

And of course adding a little ✨romance✨
Profile Image for Jenni.
6,409 reviews78 followers
April 28, 2025
Mission: Her Shield (Team 52 #7) will have you on the edge of your seat. Sexy, hero, heroines and action to stop the world of evil. Men and women who are the real hero's that no one ever hears about.

When they find their partners they hang on and will do anything to protect them and their families even if it's not by blood.

Just as good a read a s the first time.
Profile Image for Ria.
2,487 reviews36 followers
April 22, 2020
Perfect timing, Anna Hackett - I needed a distraction from the world, and Axel and Nat's story provided. I now, of course, will be rereading Brooks and Callie's book, for further comfort.
2,836 reviews8 followers
June 8, 2020
I loved this one! I have been eagerly awaiting Nat and Axel's story, and it was just like I hoped! It starts off with a bang and never really slows down. I loved their romance and was thrilled that Nat really stood up for what she wanted. They are great together and I loved their vulnerabilities. This story has lots of action and interesting elements. Loved it!
Profile Image for Marlene.
3,446 reviews241 followers
April 26, 2020
Originally published at Reading Reality

I keep expecting Team 52 to discover a Stargate, or maybe just a DHD (Dial Home Device), but neither of those are dangerous in and of themselves – although a box of staff weapons or zats certainly would be. Or they could turn up the Tesseract from the MCU – that would certainly make a big mess – as we already know.

In spite of that reference to the MCU, I still say that the Team 52 series has a big Stargate vibe to me. It’s the whole idea that there is just MORE to the world than history teaches us, that civilizations have risen and fallen more time than we were ever aware of, and that those that fell left behind dangers and wonders that we are just not ready for.

And that it’s all science-based rather than magic based, even though Clarke’s Law applies. You know, the one about “any sufficiently advanced technology” being indistinguishable from magic. The humans who lived at the time of some of these great but fallen civilizations saw their advanced tech as magic, and enshrined it in myth and legend. But it was science – perhaps science gone very, very far amuck, but still science.

Take, for example, the virus that disrupts Team 52 archaeologist Nat Blackwell’s scientific conference in Athens. A pot is broken, a fellow archaeologist touches something that he really, really, really shouldn’t, and suddenly there’s a MINOTAUR in the room goring bystanders with his horns and scooping up women to make up his expected tribute.

Seven women, just like the myth says. One of whom is Nat. A Nat who fully expects her Team to come and get her. Whether she can survive long enough for rescue is a much bigger question. The team is in Las Vegas. Athens – or wherever the Minotaur has taken his captives – is very far away.

When rescue arrives, it brings a whole host of other problems with it. The initial Minotaur transformation may have been an accident, but now that the possibility is known, there are plenty of, let’s call them basty-assed-nastards, who want to see it weaponized – and sold to the highest bidder.

Nat and Team 52 find themselves exchanging weapons fire with mercenaries from The Hannibal Syndicate in order to prevent those mercs from capturing the Minotaur for study, experimentation and weaponization by whoever will pay them the most.

Nat wants to save the Minotaur, to see if there’s a chance of turning the monster back into the scientist she used to know.

After all, Nat has a thing for saving monsters. Or at least saving men who see themselves that way. Whether they want to be saved – or not.

Escape Rating B+: I had a lot of fun with this entry in the Team 52 series. The books in this series (start with Mission: Her Protection) have generally been a good reading time, something that we all need these days. They do a great job of providing the same kind of escape as something like Stargate, where the exploration of those “brave new worlds” has been brought home to Earth.

This one in particular lived up to my earlier references to both Stargate and the MCU, as the sideways dive into myth and legend has parallels in both worlds, AND Nat, the heroine of this particular entry in the series, shares a name with Natalya Romanov, the MCU’s Black Widow. While Nat Blackwell isn’t badass in the same way at Nat Romanov, I think they have plenty in common, and would have LOTS to talk about, including the stubbornness of their respective teams.

Like all of the books in this series, the adventure of battling the evil mercs and capturing, stealing or re-stealing the dangerous, mythological macguffin is interwoven with a romance between at least one member of Team 52 and someone who is either part of their world or is introduced to it – usually in either a hail of bullets, or by being taken prisoner or hostage by something slightly supernatural.

The romance between Nat and Axel Diaz manages to combine a whole bunch of those elements, as Axel is also a member of Team 52, and Nat is not only a member but manages to get taken hostage – or at least threatened with it – multiple times by both the Minotaur AND the mercenaries.

Nat and Axel have always had seriously explosive chemistry between them, a chemistry that both have denied – for different reasons. Actually, for a bit of the same reason, too. Admittedly Axel has been a bit of a manwhore, and nobody needs to get involved in that kind of drama where they work. But both of them have a bad case of the “I’m not worthy” syndrome. Axel because his former military service had him doing very bad things to people who may or may not have been bad themselves, and Nat because her parents treated her as an obligation or a showpiece instead of a child.

While this is not my favorite romantic trope, it was certainly done well in this particular instance – especially from Nat’s side. Her parents were definitely “pieces of work”. Most people would end up with the same kind of emotional baggage in that situation. In the end, Nat and Axel do an excellent job of making each other strong in their broken places – and of realizing that they make each other better.

So an exciting adventure, a romance that overcomes the odds, another monster down, another merc band out and a good time had by all. A fun action-adventure romance all the way around.

The series feels like it’s winding down. This author has a tendency to have the head honcho find their HEA as the closing of the series. Based on events at the end of this one, it looks like Team 52’s director, Jonah Grayson, is heading for a fall sometime later this year. I’m sure a good ass-kicking and romantic time will be had by all!
Profile Image for Christine.
278 reviews2 followers
April 20, 2020
This can be read as a stand-alone, but it is more enjoyable when the series is read in order. The story has everything I love, action, suspense, mystery, danger, romance, humor, and sci-fi elements! The characters are well developed and interesting! I can’t wait for the next story in the series!
Profile Image for Penelope.
1,468 reviews15 followers
May 30, 2021
3.5 Stars for MISSION: HER SHIELD, book#7 in Anna Hackett’s TEAM 52 Action/Adventure Contemporary Romance series. I LIKED IT but it wasn’t my favorite in this series.
MY RATING GUIDE: 1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= I ENJOYED IT; 4= Yes, I LIKED IT ALOT!!; 5= I Loved it, it was great!

Team 52 is a Covert Black Ops team based near Area 51, NV. The selected members have been recruited among the best soldiers in any US Special Ops unit. The team has been assigned the classified duty involved in the collecting and storing of unusual artifacts discovered worldwide - potentially dangerous antiquities originating from unknown ancient civilizations. TEAM 52, an 8 book series, follows this team as they travel and respond to related global emergencies, oftentimes finding themselves in extremely dangerous situations as they dispose of the dangerous artifacts.

HER SHIELD, #7 begins with team 52’s archeologist Natalie Blackwell/FMC attending a conference of colleagues in Athens. Something has gone terribly wrong and she requests the immediate assistance of the knowledgeable and more physically capable members of her team. Quite frankly, Natalie needs their help to get out alive. As an Army Delta Force soldier Axel Diaz/MMC served his country faithfully and has the scars and terrible nightmares as reminders. Since joining the 52 team, Diaz has enjoyed the special camaraderie and has considered the risks of the job worth the benefits. But now bright and gorgeous Natalie is in danger and that is unacceptable. I love the book cover for this story! It is absolutely perfect for Diaz & Natalie.

HER SHIELD is a Friends to Lovers action-suspense story that can be read as a standalone title but since each book in the series features a different TEAM 52 member, the main characters from the previous and latter books overlap. Anna Hackett’s novels feature strong, smart women and honorable, former military trained, alpha-type guys that appreciate the strength and intelligence the women bring to the fight. I enjoy the occasional Quirky humor and writing style that prevents Hackett’s novels from becoming too angst-filled or dark. Books #1, 2, and #6 (Her Protection, Her Rescue, and Her Freedom) have been my favorites in this series so far as they packed in the most action, intrigue and interest for me. Nevertheless, I enjoyed Diaz and Natalie’s story as well. There’s a final book featuring the imposing director of this awesome team and I look forward to reading it next.

Anna Hackett has written a number of other Action-Adventure-Romance series in Space Opera & Dystopian genres as well. TEAM 52 is the 5th Anna Hackett series I’ve read so far; her books are among my favorites in any suspense genre - Contemporary; Space Opera, Dystopian. If you enjoy HER SHIELD be sure to check out other works by Anna Hackett.

*READER CAUTION - Readers who prefer only Clean fiction will want to look elsewhere. Not recommended for YAs.
VIOLENCE - Yes. Covert Spec Ops action with abductions, deaths and gun fights but not depicted in particularly dark details. High PG-13.
PROFANITY - Yes. Frequent use of strong language.
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - Yes. The 2 main characters are attracted to each other and their friendship develops into Steamy and Detailed intimate scenes, ending with joint commitment and a HEA.
Profile Image for Janet.
76 reviews3 followers
July 12, 2020
Here's way I love about Anna Hackett books-I can absolutely depend on enjoying them. Are they going to change my life? No. Are they going to make me think real hard? No. Are the formulaic? Absolutely but in the best possible way. One thing I love about all her series is that despite the fact that they do follow a formula, there is enough differentiation in characters/plots/storylines that they don't run together. Which is pretty impressive considering Hell Squad has like 19 books. I have read and enjoyed series and in my head it's basically a blur. I remember these books. I reread these books often. AND they're good! They are smart and well researched. And they're fun and funny and sweet. The action is exciting. The sex is hot but not overly abundant. There is light kink but not enough for it to be what the focus is on (although she might think about giving bdsm erotica a shot. Hell Squad's Theron was hot af) They are the perfect escapist romantic adventures and I am tearing the f**k through them during this very uncertain and anxious time. If she turns these out forever I will read every last one. Now that I'm thinking about it, I can't really think of another author of any genre but especially romance, that is this consistent. Everyone else has misses. I can't think of an Anna Hackett book that didn't hit the spot. She has found her action adventure romance niche and she does it well. This series is great. This book is great. I like Axel & Nat. We've been leading up to them for most of the series. It's hot. There's a minotaur bc why not!? and a teaser for the enigmatic director of Team 52 Jonah's book. I love it all. Keep them coming
Profile Image for Jenny Delandro.
1,915 reviews17 followers
July 10, 2021
The book starts with Nat stumbling around a labyrinth trying to avoid a raging monster, a Minotaur. A man was turned by an ancient artefact, into the Minotaur, at an international conference in Greece. He kidnapped seven women who had attended the same conference.
The team arrive only hours after hearing her panicked voice in the conference…they follow the leads to rescue her and a small band of 3 others from an unexplored labyrinth in Crete..
They return when Nat decodes a map of the labyrinth and is able to lead the team towards the centre… but they encounter another team already there.
It is the Hannibal Syndicate, arms dealers who escape with the drugged Minotaur and blow up the labyrinth.
Brooks follows the mercs to London and the team are following closely when they are told their van has crashed and was ripped apart .. guess who..
They track the creature through abandoned tunnels and bunkers in London battling with the mercs, who still want to capture him.
The mercs set explosives in the final bunker but the Minotaur had already taken its own life, the team escape the bombs burying the Minotaur in a pile of rubble..
Axle and Nat are finally a couple and she agrees to meet his family..
Hints of next book!
I love reading Anna’s books.. her heroes are always an interesting mix of lethal talent and gentleness.
I like the pace of the action and the plausible science involved in the storyline.
There are many things unexplained in our past and Anna supplies a possible explanation for some historical anomalies.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Carey S..
610 reviews9 followers
April 20, 2020
4.5 Stars
Axel Diaz, Team 52 Team Member and former Delta Force fighter, and Natalie Blackwell, Team 52 Archeologist, have been circling each other for a while. She wants him and he wants her, but he’s never been a relationship kind of guy and Natalie is made for that. So Axel has avoided showing interest in Nat. He’s worried sick when the team gets a frantic call from Nat asking for help. She’s been in Greece at a conference, and then suddenly she is getting attacked and needs help. Somehow, during the conference, a virus is released which turns the host into a Minotaur. This beast kills a few folks and kidnaps several more. They end up in a labyrinth and have to somehow survive. However, Nat is stubborn, and after getting kidnapped and fighting for her survival, she’s reached her limit with Axel. She’s ready to fight for what she wants, and she has decided that she wants Axel.

There’s a lot of tension in this book. The Minotaur is a hulk-like creature who is very strong. There’s also another group that wants the Minotaur, and they often end up sharing spaces with Team 52, and it doesn’t always end well for the team. The pace is steady and the dialogue sounds natural. There’s also some witty banter at times between the various team members. Ms. Hackett borrows from Greek mythology to create this book, and she does it in a clever and compelling way. Good job, Anna Hackett!

Profile Image for Nikki Brooks.
3,553 reviews54 followers
April 30, 2020
Natalie is the product of very well educated, but aloof, parents. She pretty much looked after herself from a young age. Now an archaeologist working with Team 52, she gets to work on the bizarre and deadly relics that the team finds. Whilst also getting to regularly ogle the hunkalicious Axel. Noth that she'd ever let him know that - he has more than enough ego!

Axel dwells in a dark place due to his work before T52. He doesn't think he'd ever be good enough for someone as light and academic as Natalie. He's no dope but neither is he an aspiring academic. He loves his family but he has even distanced himself from them lately. But when Nat gets kidnapped from what should be a safe academic conference there is no where on Earth he won't go to find Nat.

OOOOh these two have been circling each other for yonks! I'm so glad they finally get their HEA! I think this caught my imagination more cos I've been to Knossos and seen the palace used as the basis for the myth and I could just plop myself down in the middle of the story and know exactly where they were talking about!

There is also a kinda grown up Beauty and the Beast vibe to the story too (always a sucket for a fairy tale LOL! Now, how long am I going to have to wait for the boss' story - Jonah and a particularly fiery redhead?!?!?!
Profile Image for JML.
1,299 reviews24 followers
May 5, 2020
Ohhhh so delicious.💖

Once again Anna Hackett has combined the perfect amount of history, passionate romance and high octane adventure in one fabulous book. Almost each member of team 52 has met their match and now it's Axel and Nat's turn. Their attraction and been simmering in previous books but boils over in "Her Shield". Axel is ex Delta Force who has seen and done things that he's not proud of. He believes he's too broken inside and doesn't deserve love. Nat is a gorgeous, intelligent, sassy amazing Archaeologist. She been with team 52 since the beginning. This is the one place she feels she belongs with people who have become her friends and her family. In this adventure Greek mythology comes to life with the Minotaur, a labyrinth and lots and lots of evil enemies and plenty of puzzles to solve. It's a fast paced delicious treat that will leave you breathless and wanting more. The ending also gives you a teaser for Jonah and if you're a fan of the series you know who I'm referring to and his book looks like it's going to be a wild ride. Thank you so much Anna Hackett for providing fabulous entertainment that chases the blues away and make quarantine a little less stifling . I highly recommend this for your reading enjoyment.
Profile Image for Sherill.
1,296 reviews38 followers
April 22, 2020
HEART-RACING SUSPENSE-ACTION & BLAZING HOT ROMANCE

"Mission: Her Shield" is a page-turner read with lots of action, suspense, life-threatening moments, fabulous character interaction, blazing hot romance, and a happy forever.

Besides being a hot buffed Team 52 member, Axel Diaz fights the haunted memories of his past. Women fawn over him, but he pines for Nat, Team 52's archeologist. Nat adores her job, and her fantasy dreams star Axel. A thunderstorm of fear emotions burns through Axel when he learns Nat is in grave danger in Greece. Team 52 fights an ancient Minotaur and evil mercenaries to save Nat and the world. Axel must face his demons that keep him from committing to Nat.

Fantastic well-written read with praise-worthy characters that you can cheer for. The chemistry between Axel and Nat is spot on. I loved the banter between the characters as they face imminent danger. This is a great read to lift your spirits during these times. The author shows that letting go of the past is pivotal for a happy future. Enjoying this story, I voluntarily reviewed a pre-release copy via the author.
Profile Image for Eileen Troemel.
Author 170 books363 followers
August 10, 2023
Hackett kept me riveted while I read this action packed fast paced story. Axel and Natalie are two people who want each other but she doesn't think anyone will love her and he wants to protect her even from himself.

This story moved along. It started with a desperate call for help from Greece which took the team international again. They started in Greece and moved on to London. A monster - who took Nat and six other women. First they had to find them and then they had to fight against mercenaries. Along the way, Nat and Axel fight their growing attraction and desire for each other... there's a little fighting between them too.

The pacing of this story moved along. It drew you in and kept you turning pages. My only - very minor - complaint was the balance of the relationship with the action. I feel like there was more action and less relationship. Don't mistake me - there's plenty of steam. But the connection built between the two was slightly lacking. The last sex scene felt more like a - what do I do now? Oh I'll throw in a sex scene...

Story was good, the steamy intimate time was good, the writing was good. Definitely worth reading and definitely kept my attention.
63 reviews3 followers
April 20, 2020
This is definitely one of my favorite Team 52 books in the series. If you've read the previous book then you know that it ended with Natalie calling the Team for help when something goes wrong at her archaeology conference in Greece. This book picks up right where it left off with Team 52 going to Greece to save Nat.

Axel has always cared about Nat, but didn't think he was good for her, so he tried to keep his distance from her. Now with her in danger, he'll do anything to keep her safe. And Nat realizes if she can get out of the situation alive, she isn't going to wait around while Axel ignores her anymore. She's going to fight for him.

An ancient artifact connected to Greek mythology, a Minotaur, adventure in a labyrinth, and also fighting against an evil group that wants the Minotaur,, and wants to use Nat to get it, make this a non-stop action packed romance that you won't want to put down.

I was given an ARC of this book , but am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
1,820 reviews10 followers
April 22, 2020
It's always so much fun revisiting Team 52 and this book exemplifies why. The team is seen throughout the book and their camaraderie, love and respect for each other shine through. But more so, I love books where the competence in face of so many challenges is clear- and Team 52 is nothing if not competent!

In this book, Nat is kidnapped by a man who has been transformed through a virus into a minotaur. He's violet, ultra strong and generally "mindless". There's a team of mercenaries out to get him too so Team 52, especially Axel, is racing against time to save Nat and then Team 52 is doing what they need to to make sure that the biological weapon is contained. So much excitement and Nat and Axel are wonderful together. Since I have been reading this series since the beginning, I have seen their push and pull through the series so watching them get together has been something I have been looking forward to. As always, a great, exciting read with a strong heroine and the hero who loves her. I look forward to Jonah's story!
622 reviews6 followers
April 28, 2020
Axel and a few members of Team 52 are desperately trying to find out what happened to Natalie after she went on to an archaeology conference in Athens. The team arrive at the conference center to find that Natalie along with several other women have been taken by some sort of monster and the murder of most of the other archaeologist. Team 52 are in for a terrifying time trying to track down Natalie and the rest of the women before the monster kills again. They have finally tracked them all to the Island of Crete. The monster has gone into the underground catacombs . They will have to hurry up and find them, because they are not the only ones searching for the monster . It appears there is another team of ex military people looking for them too. Axel will do anything to protect Natalie who he has been attracted to from the start. Even if it means walking away from her. Natalie is determined that is not going to happen she will fight for what she wants and that is Axel. A big thank you to Annna Hackett for the totally entertaining review copy. I am also a verified purchase.
Profile Image for Cc.
2,087 reviews1 follower
August 8, 2021
Nat and Axel

Attending and archeologists meeting in Greece Nat is kidnapped by another attendee that has turned into a horned monster. Unconscious for awhile Nat awakes to find she and some other women from the meeting are in some dark tunnels. Knowing her team will come to rescue her she just has to survive until they show up.

Turns out she is in Crete and the monster is the fabled Minotaur and they are all lost in the Labyrinth.

Axel is frantic to find and rescue Nat. Receiving a short call from Nat they trace her to Crete.

This is an interesting twist on the Minotaur of Crete.

Axel is another “I’m too damaged, I have to stay away from her” alpha that loves Nat from afar. Nat loves Axel but is tired of his hot and cold affection. She decides she is t going to let this go on any longer and tells him that she’s not letting him go. He is her’s and he will eventually fall in love with her.

I enjoyed this story but found Axel and Nat’s love affair to be forced. I have enjoyed all the other members of Team 52 finding their significant other better.

Profile Image for Melanie Marnell.
4,221 reviews34 followers
January 31, 2023
Intense! Intense! Intense! This book traveled at the speed of light start to finish. It also finally paired up Axel Diaz and Dr. Natalie Blackwell. The smoldering glances and furtive looks between these two are no secret to the Team 52 members even though Nat and Axel think they're being circumspect. A frantic call for help from Nat has Axel and the team working at warp speed to locate and rescue their beloved archeologist. This time out theey search for a living breathing, albeit mythological beast rather than an inanimate object. In addition they are confronted with and battle a highly trained, persistent and deadly mercenary team who are after the same goal. From Greece to Crete to London the team actively pursues the monster and the mercs. Along the way Nat decides that she's had enough of Axel's "I'm too damaged and I'm not good enough" attitude. She takes charge vowing to make him love her by turning into her inner vixen and seducing him every eay she can. Talk about hot! And, yes she succeeds.
Profile Image for Katy.
1,368 reviews50 followers
April 7, 2021
Rating: 3 stars
What I Liked: I liked that this one really did embrace the fantasy element of these books. It was good fun and exciting from the start.
I liked both Axel and Nat, it was nice to see their characters as the main focus here. Their relationship was good, they had good chemistry and I liked a lot of the push and pull.
What I Didn’t: There were some issues with the pacing that I’ve had with other books in this series - I thought the ending was a bit dragged out, once again, to set up the next novel in the series.
Overall: It’s a fun book, like all the others in the series. I had fun reading it.
Would I Recommend It?: Yes, if you want a fun, exciting romantic suspense novel with a friends-to-lovers relationship.
Would I Read Something By The Author Again?: Yes.
Content Warnings:
Profile Image for Sabrina Lance Allen.
3 reviews
July 18, 2025
I love Anna Hackett and the Team 52 Series, but this is my least favorite. I’m not a fan of manwhore MMC and that’s such a focus in this book. There’s no ow drama really (he does flirt with another woman and take her number to push MFC away), but it’s clear that for two years the MFC has watched the MMC take many, many women home. He claims it’s because he isn’t good enough for her due to things he did in the Army, but he never so much as apologizes once he gets his crap together. She fights for him over and over again, but he basically does nothing for her insecurities. It was very frustrating. There’s even one instance where just as they finish having sex his phone rings. She asks if it’s one of his “many admirers”. He just smiles and says something like he’s her favorite. He’s talking about his mom, but that comment is made after he sees her stiffen and pull away, and that shows his level of respect for the MFC.
316 reviews2 followers
April 20, 2020
Spectacular, riveting, and explosive!!!

Thrilling and packed full intense action and edge-of-your-seat events, this book also managed to have more than its fair share of hilarious one-liners and humorous scenes. I was captivated from page one, and not just because Axel and Nat have been dancing around each other for several books. This story starts with a bang and continues on at full speed with heart warming moments and sexy romance being just as hard hitting as the adventure! I REALLY enjoyed the archaeological bits and the new take on Minoan myth. I so completely recommend this book for a practically unending list of reasons!! It can be read as a stand alone, but I do suggest reading the other books in the series first for, though, for maximum emotional impact. Dive on in, you wont be sorry for a moment!
Profile Image for Megan.
956 reviews41 followers
March 11, 2025
I really liked the story. I love Greek mythology. Axel got on my nerves. He was the reason it wasn’t rated higher. Not to mention he was a manwhore. 🤢I liked Natalie, but I wished she would have made him work for it. But, knowing how this author is I knew that probably wasn’t going to happen. I was expecting to hate it to be honest. I hate manwhores. Especially when the woman they want is in their life and can see all the women coming in and out of his life.


Safety
H and h have been attracted to each other since meeting 2 years ago. He was a manwhore and h saw. h also dated during this time. So they were both with others. At the start of the book H says he hasn’t been with anyone in 2 months. No info on h. H thinks the h deserves better than him. Nobody for either of them since the start of the book.
Profile Image for Lisa Bing.
6,183 reviews68 followers
April 22, 2020
Fast paced story starts off with a bang and doesn't look back

This book, like many others by Anna Hackett, starts off with a bang, getting you on the edge of your seat and anxious about how things will play out. Axel and Nat have been have been circling around each other throughout the series and they finally make their move. Well, Nat decides enough is enough and she's going to make Axel face his feelings for her ;) She strong, sassy, determined and smart. He's full on determined to save her, and keep her safe, despite how hard everything works against him on that. Sparks fly and so do the bullets in this fun read and I really enjoyed this reading adventure that takes place in Greece.
1,284 reviews9 followers
May 12, 2020
Super fast and full of action!

So, a typical Anna Hackett story! Axel is chomping at the bits because Team 52's archaeologist, Nat, has run into major trouble during a conference in Greece. He wants her, but doesn't think he is good enough for her. There is a lot of action in here, but it is also filled with complex characters. This makes for a fast paced, intense story with an action oriented storyline and some really steamy scenes. The characters are vibrant and kickass, as expected! I can't wait to see what happens next. Unfortunately, that's not until the end of 2020! Read these in order. To get the full picture, read Treasure Hunter Security series before all these. Enjoy!
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