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He’s her best friend’s older brother.
The hot, tough former Navy SEAL.
The man she’s had a crush on her entire life and now the man pretending to be her lover to keep her safe.
CEO Lainie Madden has her hands full. In charge of a growing tech company, her work and her employees are her life. She’s sworn off love, because the sad reality is that she stinks at choosing men who aren’t self-absorbed cheaters. But when she starts receiving disturbing death threats and her company’s website gets hit with relentless cyber-attacks, she’s in over her head.
What she never expected was her best friend’s bossy, rugged brother to steamroll in to play her fake boyfriend and very real protector.
Former SEAL and CIA agent Nick “Wolf” Garrick is second in command at Sentinel Security. He’s spent most of his life fighting and protecting others, proving he’s nothing like the ex-con who fathered him. He’s also spent years ignoring his scorching attraction to his little sister’s best friend. Lainie is sweet, fresh, smart…and off limits.
But when he finds out she’s in danger, it flips a switch inside him. Whatever the risk, whatever it takes, even pretending that they’re lovers, he’ll protect Lainie and take down the person hunting her.
The more time Lainie and Nick spend together, the more the lines blur. As danger swirls around them, their pretend relationship starts to feel very real. But Nick doesn’t do relationships and Lainie doesn’t want to get hurt again…
The hot, tough former Navy SEAL.
The man she’s had a crush on her entire life and now the man pretending to be her lover to keep her safe.
CEO Lainie Madden has her hands full. In charge of a growing tech company, her work and her employees are her life. She’s sworn off love, because the sad reality is that she stinks at choosing men who aren’t self-absorbed cheaters. But when she starts receiving disturbing death threats and her company’s website gets hit with relentless cyber-attacks, she’s in over her head.
What she never expected was her best friend’s bossy, rugged brother to steamroll in to play her fake boyfriend and very real protector.
Former SEAL and CIA agent Nick “Wolf” Garrick is second in command at Sentinel Security. He’s spent most of his life fighting and protecting others, proving he’s nothing like the ex-con who fathered him. He’s also spent years ignoring his scorching attraction to his little sister’s best friend. Lainie is sweet, fresh, smart…and off limits.
But when he finds out she’s in danger, it flips a switch inside him. Whatever the risk, whatever it takes, even pretending that they’re lovers, he’ll protect Lainie and take down the person hunting her.
The more time Lainie and Nick spend together, the more the lines blur. As danger swirls around them, their pretend relationship starts to feel very real. But Nick doesn’t do relationships and Lainie doesn’t want to get hurt again…
271 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 9, 2022
3380 people are currently reading
1467 people want to read
About the author
Anna Hackett
162 books2,900 followersI’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
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 353 reviews
August 17, 2022
4.5 ⭐️.
Loved the growly, se*y alpha hero Nick’s and smart, intelligent, beautiful CEO Laine’s story. It was all a Anna Hackett promised book to be. Action, passion, suspense, fast paced, strong protagonists and secondary characters.
Recommended.
Loved the growly, se*y alpha hero Nick’s and smart, intelligent, beautiful CEO Laine’s story. It was all a Anna Hackett promised book to be. Action, passion, suspense, fast paced, strong protagonists and secondary characters.
Recommended.
December 18, 2022
🎧 Audiobook Review 🎧
Great story with great narration!
I love books with military/security background and this one delivered a fast and steamy one!
Nick was possessive and so protective of Lenny that he left me swooning over him!
The mystery around her threats was also a good one... it wasn't who was the most obvious suspect and I liked that.
I can't wait to listen to the others!
Great story with great narration!
I love books with military/security background and this one delivered a fast and steamy one!
Nick was possessive and so protective of Lenny that he left me swooning over him!
The mystery around her threats was also a good one... it wasn't who was the most obvious suspect and I liked that.
I can't wait to listen to the others!
August 27, 2022
3.5 ⭐️
August 9, 2022
The start of another hot and fun series ! Oo former Seal Nick might not want any entanglements but his little sisters best friend has long since been a temptation that he’s determined never to act on. Lainie on the other hand has long since known her crush could be so much more but as an independent woman she’s not looking for anyone to tie her down and honestly her recent taste in men has definitely not endeared the opposite sex to her. So when her life and her business is threatened it’s up to her best friend to well frankly sic her by brother on Lainie ! Nick is dominant, decisive and definitely not taking no for an answer. Let the fireworks start because this is about to get very hot indeed !
Well this sure did bounce along pulling the reader in as this couple lit up the pages. I thought the suspense was slightly in the background and I’d easily caught a clue early on but honestly this story was more about two stubborn people reconnecting in oh so many ways and here’s were I waggle my eyebrows up and down ! I enjoyed meeting the supporting characters and relish the thought of what the author has lined up for them next. If you want a steamy read that’s fun too with just a touch of mystery then I do feel this book will be one that will entertain you.
This voluntary take is of an advanced copy and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
Well this sure did bounce along pulling the reader in as this couple lit up the pages. I thought the suspense was slightly in the background and I’d easily caught a clue early on but honestly this story was more about two stubborn people reconnecting in oh so many ways and here’s were I waggle my eyebrows up and down ! I enjoyed meeting the supporting characters and relish the thought of what the author has lined up for them next. If you want a steamy read that’s fun too with just a touch of mystery then I do feel this book will be one that will entertain you.
This voluntary take is of an advanced copy and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
December 30, 2022
it was fine. wolf was a little strange.
June 28, 2023
Found a gem while looking through Prime books!
I really enjoyed this romance suspense book. Felt like the balance between the two was great! And the best friend's older brother trope was *chef's kiss*! It did help that the feelings were mutual from early on, basically.
Nick “Wolf” works with Sentinel Security, finds out that Elaine “Laine” Madden has been getting death threats and wants to protect her. And protect her he does!
The relationship between the two of them was great, there was banter, flirting, raw emotions and stubbornness (on BOTH ends lol) You discovered very early on that they both had/have feelings for one another and struggled not to act upon them.
Having that suspense factor of Laine being in danger really flowed well. I sometimes find that in these romance suspense books there isn’t a flow, it just feels very choppy and forced. With this one, it wasn’t!
Character development was good, romance was sizzling! Many swoon worthy moments. Also, I love when a man figures out what he wants and goes after it. He takes charge and doesn’t let the insecurities of both hinder his choice of being with the fmc.
Overall it was a great book, I definitely want to read the others that follow. I loved how I really enjoyed the other characters! I want to see what is in store for them in the following books.
*3.5-4 peps on the spice scale*
I really enjoyed this romance suspense book. Felt like the balance between the two was great! And the best friend's older brother trope was *chef's kiss*! It did help that the feelings were mutual from early on, basically.
Nick “Wolf” works with Sentinel Security, finds out that Elaine “Laine” Madden has been getting death threats and wants to protect her. And protect her he does!
The relationship between the two of them was great, there was banter, flirting, raw emotions and stubbornness (on BOTH ends lol) You discovered very early on that they both had/have feelings for one another and struggled not to act upon them.
Having that suspense factor of Laine being in danger really flowed well. I sometimes find that in these romance suspense books there isn’t a flow, it just feels very choppy and forced. With this one, it wasn’t!
Character development was good, romance was sizzling! Many swoon worthy moments. Also, I love when a man figures out what he wants and goes after it. He takes charge and doesn’t let the insecurities of both hinder his choice of being with the fmc.
Overall it was a great book, I definitely want to read the others that follow. I loved how I really enjoyed the other characters! I want to see what is in store for them in the following books.
*3.5-4 peps on the spice scale*
August 11, 2022
Great start to another fun series from Anna Hackett. Connected to a couple of her other security series, this was a quick, fun, action packed and at times humorous story with a lot of steam! Laine and Nick are great as a couple and it’s great to finally see Killian’s security team in their element.
![Profile Image for Liz [reads books].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1668868475i%2F23423026._UY200_CR19%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
August 7, 2022
I liked it, especially for the mystery aspect of it all. In regards to the romance aspect, Nick and Lainie had some chemistry even if they did go back and forth with each other. I was starting to get dizzy!
August 11, 2022
I think this is the first I've ever been able to read Anna's first book of the series and follow it from the start. It's definitely a great start to the series. Just like Anna's previous books, Nick and Lainie pulled me right into the story. These two are scorching hot. And the suspense also kept my attention throughout. I can't wait to read the next books.
August 11, 2022
⚠️ Wolf ☠️
Sentinel Security Book 1
✒️ Anna Hackett
https://www.facebook.com/AnnaHackettA...
Release Date 08/09/2022
➪ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B8T74KLP/...
𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯
He’s her best friend’s older brother.
The hot, tough former Navy SEAL.
The man she’s had a crush on her entire life and now the man pretending to be her lover to keep her safe.
CEO Lainie Madden has her hands full. In charge of a growing tech company, her work and her employees are her life. She’s sworn off love, because the sad reality is that she stinks at choosing men who aren’t self-absorbed cheaters. But when she starts receiving disturbing death threats and her company’s website gets hit with relentless cyber-attacks, she’s in over her head.
What she never expected was her best friend’s bossy, rugged brother to steamroll in to play her fake boyfriend and very real protector.
Former SEAL and CIA agent Nick “Wolf” Garrick is second in command at Sentinel Security. He’s spent most of his life fighting and protecting others, proving he’s nothing like the ex-con who fathered him. He’s also spent years ignoring his scorching attraction to his little sister’s best friend. Lainie is sweet, fresh, smart…and off limits.
But when he finds out she’s in danger, it flips a switch inside him. Whatever the risk, whatever it takes, even pretending that they’re lovers, he’ll protect Lainie and take down the person hunting her.
The more time Lainie and Nick spend together, the more the lines blur. As danger swirls around them, their pretend relationship starts to feel very real. But Nick doesn’t do relationships and Lainie doesn’t want to get hurt again…
𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
Will he be able to let her go when the danger will be quenched …
As it is expected, Mrs Hackett proposes and delivers.
Full action scenes, lot of steam, a damage hero who falls fast and hard and the woman who is cushions his fall.
Nick thought his whole he was not enough because of his father’s misdeeds so if there was one woman out of his grasp, it was his little sister’s best friend. She sees her marked as unreachable for him, the con’s son.
Why he left for the army and never looked back.
Lainie has got a crush of her friend’s older brother her whole childhood, with his kiss as her sexlife hightligh when she was 18, since she has just met one disappointment after another.
Luckily for her, what she never has found in her private life, she gots by load in her professional’s, now the proud mastermind of her successful business.
As they rekindle their relationship when threats against Lainie bring them together, the spark they always felt for one another is not far and quickly reignited. But can they forgot the past and look forward to the future when Nick drags his feet, still determined to do the right thing so he believes.
Yet when written menace turn to death threats, will he still be able to rein on his emotions…
4 stars
𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 hot
https://www.instagram.com/reel/ChF3iO...
https://www.facebook.com/100048385306...
romancereader #bookblog #readersofinstagram romancebookstragrammer #romancebookblog #romancebookblogger #romanceauthor #bookblogger #2022read #bookstagrammer #bookreview #bookquote #romancebookreviewer #arcreader
Sentinel Security Book 1
✒️ Anna Hackett
https://www.facebook.com/AnnaHackettA...
Release Date 08/09/2022
➪ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B8T74KLP/...
𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯
He’s her best friend’s older brother.
The hot, tough former Navy SEAL.
The man she’s had a crush on her entire life and now the man pretending to be her lover to keep her safe.
CEO Lainie Madden has her hands full. In charge of a growing tech company, her work and her employees are her life. She’s sworn off love, because the sad reality is that she stinks at choosing men who aren’t self-absorbed cheaters. But when she starts receiving disturbing death threats and her company’s website gets hit with relentless cyber-attacks, she’s in over her head.
What she never expected was her best friend’s bossy, rugged brother to steamroll in to play her fake boyfriend and very real protector.
Former SEAL and CIA agent Nick “Wolf” Garrick is second in command at Sentinel Security. He’s spent most of his life fighting and protecting others, proving he’s nothing like the ex-con who fathered him. He’s also spent years ignoring his scorching attraction to his little sister’s best friend. Lainie is sweet, fresh, smart…and off limits.
But when he finds out she’s in danger, it flips a switch inside him. Whatever the risk, whatever it takes, even pretending that they’re lovers, he’ll protect Lainie and take down the person hunting her.
The more time Lainie and Nick spend together, the more the lines blur. As danger swirls around them, their pretend relationship starts to feel very real. But Nick doesn’t do relationships and Lainie doesn’t want to get hurt again…
𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
Will he be able to let her go when the danger will be quenched …
As it is expected, Mrs Hackett proposes and delivers.
Full action scenes, lot of steam, a damage hero who falls fast and hard and the woman who is cushions his fall.
Nick thought his whole he was not enough because of his father’s misdeeds so if there was one woman out of his grasp, it was his little sister’s best friend. She sees her marked as unreachable for him, the con’s son.
Why he left for the army and never looked back.
Lainie has got a crush of her friend’s older brother her whole childhood, with his kiss as her sexlife hightligh when she was 18, since she has just met one disappointment after another.
Luckily for her, what she never has found in her private life, she gots by load in her professional’s, now the proud mastermind of her successful business.
As they rekindle their relationship when threats against Lainie bring them together, the spark they always felt for one another is not far and quickly reignited. But can they forgot the past and look forward to the future when Nick drags his feet, still determined to do the right thing so he believes.
Yet when written menace turn to death threats, will he still be able to rein on his emotions…
4 stars
𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 hot
https://www.instagram.com/reel/ChF3iO...
https://www.facebook.com/100048385306...
romancereader #bookblog #readersofinstagram romancebookstragrammer #romancebookblog #romancebookblogger #romanceauthor #bookblogger #2022read #bookstagrammer #bookreview #bookquote #romancebookreviewer #arcreader
August 15, 2024
Well safe to say that I wasted a lot of time on this.
It could have been really good.
The story line was there but the main characters completely ruined it.
No chemistry, there was nothing there that grabbed me apart from the female hacker who was the best character.
Sorry but this only got 1⭐️ because of the story line that would of had potential
So so sorry
It could have been really good.
The story line was there but the main characters completely ruined it.
No chemistry, there was nothing there that grabbed me apart from the female hacker who was the best character.
Sorry but this only got 1⭐️ because of the story line that would of had potential
So so sorry
September 10, 2022
4.25 Stars
My first read by this author and I will be going back to buy read the other series. The characters are dynamic the story is engaging and overall, this was well written well delivered read.
My first read by this author and I will be going back to buy read the other series. The characters are dynamic the story is engaging and overall, this was well written well delivered read.
April 30, 2025
4 Stars
Wolf is the first book in the Sentinel Security series by Anna Hackett. This romantic suspense features a security team known as Sentinel Security who take on the case of a team member's sister's best friend who is being threatened.
Turns out they both have a secret crush and the fun begins. It has it all to make it a heart-stopping, action-filled tale. With lots of chemistry, tension, intrigue, drama, danger, mystery, and more.
Loving rereading this series again.
Wolf is the first book in the Sentinel Security series by Anna Hackett. This romantic suspense features a security team known as Sentinel Security who take on the case of a team member's sister's best friend who is being threatened.
Turns out they both have a secret crush and the fun begins. It has it all to make it a heart-stopping, action-filled tale. With lots of chemistry, tension, intrigue, drama, danger, mystery, and more.
Loving rereading this series again.
August 10, 2022
Wolf is a brother's best friend, romantic suspense read. Straight from the jump you get some action as Nick, aka Wolf, is on the job. His sister's best friend, Lainie, has a stalker. He has carried a torch for her for many years now, but he walked away because "it was what was necessary". Ugh, God save us from men who think they know what is best for women.
The suspense of the story isn't the sole focus. The story's lens is more trained on these two colliding together again. Lainie is delightful-she is a brilliant businesswoman and determinedly independent. She has always felt attraction towards Nick, but felt he was off limits. Nick is an overprotective guy, and while he is a little gruff and I sometimes wanted to smack him upside the head, he's lovable!
Wolf kicks off a new series and I am excited to read more about some of the others members introduced! I think this was a solid start to a new series that was enjoyable!
POV: 3rd
Tears: no
Trope: siblings best friend, ex-military
Triggers: none
Series/Standalone: standalone
Cliffhanger:
HEA:
authors like Susan Stoker, Riley Edwards, ...then you will probably like Wolf!
Wolf
August 16, 2022
Nick is annoying. he can’t be with my sisters best friend, sex scenes are terrible!
In all of the Anna Hackett books I have read, they’ve never been as good as the first three in Norcross security. This one is okay. I really don’t like it when the man is resisting the attraction for stupid reasons. Nick is resisting her because Lainie is his sisters best friend. Not sure what that’s got to do with it.
When Lainie is receiving death threats, Nick/Wolf steps in to help her. Lainie and Nick have always wanted each other, but Nick always fights it. As a consequence of his rejections, she is very insecure. I found myself getting angry with him as he’s sending out mixed messages. Eventually he mans up, and accepts that she belongs to him. (Caveman, yes, but I like it.)
There were parts of the plot that really didn’t make sense. Sentinel security seemed to drop everything to help Lainie. Do they not have any other cases? Nick is pretending to be her boyfriend at her work. So she tells her assistant that it’s all fake. Hmm hope the assistant isn’t a gossip!! The first time her company’s internet is hacked, they work from Sentinel Security’s base. The second time Lainie has to go to her company, to sort it out. And obviously she’s attacked on the way. Sigh…. Predictable plot.
The worst thing (sadly) is the sex scenes. They are terrible. No foreplay and he just puts it in and of course she has loads of orgasms. Ouch! One last thing. Why do all the men on her covers look the frigging same???
Yes I enjoyed it, but… Will I read it again? No! Sorry I wouldn’t. I know I’m sad, but I’ve read Rhys and Havens book a few times now. This isn’t anywhere near as good.
In all of the Anna Hackett books I have read, they’ve never been as good as the first three in Norcross security. This one is okay. I really don’t like it when the man is resisting the attraction for stupid reasons. Nick is resisting her because Lainie is his sisters best friend. Not sure what that’s got to do with it.
When Lainie is receiving death threats, Nick/Wolf steps in to help her. Lainie and Nick have always wanted each other, but Nick always fights it. As a consequence of his rejections, she is very insecure. I found myself getting angry with him as he’s sending out mixed messages. Eventually he mans up, and accepts that she belongs to him. (Caveman, yes, but I like it.)
There were parts of the plot that really didn’t make sense. Sentinel security seemed to drop everything to help Lainie. Do they not have any other cases? Nick is pretending to be her boyfriend at her work. So she tells her assistant that it’s all fake. Hmm hope the assistant isn’t a gossip!! The first time her company’s internet is hacked, they work from Sentinel Security’s base. The second time Lainie has to go to her company, to sort it out. And obviously she’s attacked on the way. Sigh…. Predictable plot.
The worst thing (sadly) is the sex scenes. They are terrible. No foreplay and he just puts it in and of course she has loads of orgasms. Ouch! One last thing. Why do all the men on her covers look the frigging same???
Yes I enjoyed it, but… Will I read it again? No! Sorry I wouldn’t. I know I’m sad, but I’ve read Rhys and Havens book a few times now. This isn’t anywhere near as good.
August 13, 2022
Originally published at Reading Reality
Sentinel Security picks up where Norcross Security leaves off. At least in time. As this first book in the Sentinel Security series opens, the action moves from the Norcross’ West Coast to Killian Hawke’s East Coast. But the story does not pick up with whatever Killian Hawke does or doesn’t have going on with the frenemy/nemesis Federal Agent who has him gritting his teeth and cursing her name whenever she inserts herself into one of his cases.
I believe that the author is torturing all of her fans, including this one, by teasing the leader’s romance – the one I always like best – while drawing out the anticipation. Because this first book in the Sentinel Security series is all about Killian’s second-in-command and the woman who has had him wrapped around the axle for a whole lot longer than he’s ever been willing to admit.
Lainie Madden is the CEO of a growing tech company. A company which is suffering from an escalating series of cyber attacks just as Lainie is receiving an equally escalating series of threatening messages. Thinking those two escalations are connected does not take the services of an elite security company like Sentinel Security.
But Lainie Madden is, and has been since childhood, Nola Garrick’s best friend. And Nola Garrick is Nick Garrick’s little sister. Lainie has had a crush on Nick since she was 12 – when Nick was 18 and before he started his career with the SEALs and the CIA doing things that he’d have to kill someone if they learned about them.
That 6-year age gap loomed large when Lainie was growing up, but she’s all grown up now and has been for quite some time. She’s never forgotten her feelings for Nick, and has never found a man even remotely his equal. Nick’s never gotten Lainie out of his head or his heart.
The problem there, of course, is that if they start anything and it doesn’t work out – something that honestly neither Lainie or Nick expects because neither of them have all that great a track record with relationships – the person who will be hurt the most is Nola.
And neither of them wants that – even more than they want each other.
But those threats scare Nola a whole lot more than they do Lainie. So Nola calls her big brother and assigns him the task of protecting her bestie, whether that bestie believes she needs protection or not, whether she can bear to be that close to Nick or not, whether she and Nick can resist jumping each other’s bones long enough to get the villain caught or not.
Because they can’t. And they don’t really want to resist, either. The question is whether they can calm their own demons long enough to see if what has been simmering between them for so long has even half a chance of lasting longer than it takes to bring Lainie’s stalker to justice.
Escape Rating B+: As much as I referenced the author’s earlier series at the top, it’s not required to read the earlier series to get into this one. But it is fun! Especially when, as occurs in the climactic takedown in this book, characters from previous series show up to help save the day. It’s always lovely to see how everyone is doing after becoming so involved in all their lives.
But the first book in any of her series is always a great place to start – and to get hooked so that you can’t resist picking up the rest. Any one of Anna Hackett’s books should be considered as a gateway drug for ALL the others! This particular dark side has both cookies and yummy books!
I digress just a bit.
This is an action adventure romance series, so it’s not a surprise that someone – usually, admittedly, the heroine but not always – ends up in danger and the hero – or a team of heroes – has to rescue her. And that in the end, there is a happy ever after where that heroine falls for one member of that team and very much vice versa – after a bit of resistance, of course.
What makes this entry in the author’s lineup so much fun, at least for this reader, are two things. One is the delicious taboo-yet-not-really nature of the romance. Now that they are unattached adults, there’s absolutely no reason why Lainie and Nick can’t get together and scratch their mutual itch. But once upon a time there very much was. And the slightly forbidden yet not nature of their relationship adds just that little bit of delicious extra tension to the mix.
The second thing is the character of Lainie herself. I loved that she was a workaholic to the max who was dedicated to her company and her career. I loved her ambition and her drive and her putting her work first in her life. Not because it’s healthy, as Lainie has definitely taken her workaholism way too far for that. But because it’s so very real and it made Lainie real as well.
And it also ran a bit counter to stereotype, as we see PLENTY of workaholic heroes, and see them being celebrated for it, in fiction and in real life. But women – not so much. So I really loved that part.
Speaking of Lainie, I also liked that she was never damselfied. She’s in danger, and she hadn’t planned to ask Nick for help. Not because she had her head in the sand, as so many damsels do, but because she was working on it with very good people, and trusted her own people to have her back. That her stalker was seriously next-level put the situation out of her control – but not because she was being stupid about it.
Lainie also doesn’t do anything to sabotage her protection once it’s established. Again, things happen out of her control, because that’s the point of the whole story, but she doesn’t go wandering around on her own after ditching her bodyguard – or anything else equally stupid.
In other words, I enjoyed this because I really liked Lainie as a character and absolutely wanted her to get her HEA – which she earns, deserves and very much does. Nick seems like very yummy icing for a cake she’s already baked herself, and that’s my favorite flavor of romance.
But speaking of yummy, I was just a teensy bit disappointed that I didn’t get Killian’s romance to kick off the series. And I’m probably not going to get it in the next book either, as Killian sends one of Sentinel Security’s other agents, Matteo, off to DC to pick up something from the CIA at the end of Wolf. But it could be a case of Killian avoiding contact with his Federal nemesis. We’ll see next month!
Sentinel Security picks up where Norcross Security leaves off. At least in time. As this first book in the Sentinel Security series opens, the action moves from the Norcross’ West Coast to Killian Hawke’s East Coast. But the story does not pick up with whatever Killian Hawke does or doesn’t have going on with the frenemy/nemesis Federal Agent who has him gritting his teeth and cursing her name whenever she inserts herself into one of his cases.
I believe that the author is torturing all of her fans, including this one, by teasing the leader’s romance – the one I always like best – while drawing out the anticipation. Because this first book in the Sentinel Security series is all about Killian’s second-in-command and the woman who has had him wrapped around the axle for a whole lot longer than he’s ever been willing to admit.
Lainie Madden is the CEO of a growing tech company. A company which is suffering from an escalating series of cyber attacks just as Lainie is receiving an equally escalating series of threatening messages. Thinking those two escalations are connected does not take the services of an elite security company like Sentinel Security.
But Lainie Madden is, and has been since childhood, Nola Garrick’s best friend. And Nola Garrick is Nick Garrick’s little sister. Lainie has had a crush on Nick since she was 12 – when Nick was 18 and before he started his career with the SEALs and the CIA doing things that he’d have to kill someone if they learned about them.
That 6-year age gap loomed large when Lainie was growing up, but she’s all grown up now and has been for quite some time. She’s never forgotten her feelings for Nick, and has never found a man even remotely his equal. Nick’s never gotten Lainie out of his head or his heart.
The problem there, of course, is that if they start anything and it doesn’t work out – something that honestly neither Lainie or Nick expects because neither of them have all that great a track record with relationships – the person who will be hurt the most is Nola.
And neither of them wants that – even more than they want each other.
But those threats scare Nola a whole lot more than they do Lainie. So Nola calls her big brother and assigns him the task of protecting her bestie, whether that bestie believes she needs protection or not, whether she can bear to be that close to Nick or not, whether she and Nick can resist jumping each other’s bones long enough to get the villain caught or not.
Because they can’t. And they don’t really want to resist, either. The question is whether they can calm their own demons long enough to see if what has been simmering between them for so long has even half a chance of lasting longer than it takes to bring Lainie’s stalker to justice.
Escape Rating B+: As much as I referenced the author’s earlier series at the top, it’s not required to read the earlier series to get into this one. But it is fun! Especially when, as occurs in the climactic takedown in this book, characters from previous series show up to help save the day. It’s always lovely to see how everyone is doing after becoming so involved in all their lives.
But the first book in any of her series is always a great place to start – and to get hooked so that you can’t resist picking up the rest. Any one of Anna Hackett’s books should be considered as a gateway drug for ALL the others! This particular dark side has both cookies and yummy books!
I digress just a bit.
This is an action adventure romance series, so it’s not a surprise that someone – usually, admittedly, the heroine but not always – ends up in danger and the hero – or a team of heroes – has to rescue her. And that in the end, there is a happy ever after where that heroine falls for one member of that team and very much vice versa – after a bit of resistance, of course.
What makes this entry in the author’s lineup so much fun, at least for this reader, are two things. One is the delicious taboo-yet-not-really nature of the romance. Now that they are unattached adults, there’s absolutely no reason why Lainie and Nick can’t get together and scratch their mutual itch. But once upon a time there very much was. And the slightly forbidden yet not nature of their relationship adds just that little bit of delicious extra tension to the mix.
The second thing is the character of Lainie herself. I loved that she was a workaholic to the max who was dedicated to her company and her career. I loved her ambition and her drive and her putting her work first in her life. Not because it’s healthy, as Lainie has definitely taken her workaholism way too far for that. But because it’s so very real and it made Lainie real as well.
And it also ran a bit counter to stereotype, as we see PLENTY of workaholic heroes, and see them being celebrated for it, in fiction and in real life. But women – not so much. So I really loved that part.
Speaking of Lainie, I also liked that she was never damselfied. She’s in danger, and she hadn’t planned to ask Nick for help. Not because she had her head in the sand, as so many damsels do, but because she was working on it with very good people, and trusted her own people to have her back. That her stalker was seriously next-level put the situation out of her control – but not because she was being stupid about it.
Lainie also doesn’t do anything to sabotage her protection once it’s established. Again, things happen out of her control, because that’s the point of the whole story, but she doesn’t go wandering around on her own after ditching her bodyguard – or anything else equally stupid.
In other words, I enjoyed this because I really liked Lainie as a character and absolutely wanted her to get her HEA – which she earns, deserves and very much does. Nick seems like very yummy icing for a cake she’s already baked herself, and that’s my favorite flavor of romance.
But speaking of yummy, I was just a teensy bit disappointed that I didn’t get Killian’s romance to kick off the series. And I’m probably not going to get it in the next book either, as Killian sends one of Sentinel Security’s other agents, Matteo, off to DC to pick up something from the CIA at the end of Wolf. But it could be a case of Killian avoiding contact with his Federal nemesis. We’ll see next month!
February 9, 2023
Reads almost like a PWP.
It's not badly written but there's too may clichés and almost no build up to the drama: the main characters go from "this can't happen, I'm not good enough for you" to "you're mine because I say so" three pages later.
Almost from the very beginning they start fake dating, the first day they already realize it's too real to pretend, two days in they're madly in love and everyone teases them about how crazy they are about each other...
I mean even with the misunderstanding/cheating trope, she sees him kissing someone else in a hotel lobby, turns and runs and, by the time he gets to her SHE is asking for his forgiveness for overreacting (?) I am all for healthy love stories, but no one in the history of ever would see their SO kissing someone else and at the very least not ask what was happening. Much less someone who spends half the book explaining how she has trust issues and low self esteem because every partner she's ever had cheated on her...
I don't like DNFing books, but this was a close call. It's a 2 star because as I said, it's not exactly badly written but I just couldn't connect with the characters or the story.
It's not badly written but there's too may clichés and almost no build up to the drama: the main characters go from "this can't happen, I'm not good enough for you" to "you're mine because I say so" three pages later.
Almost from the very beginning they start fake dating, the first day they already realize it's too real to pretend, two days in they're madly in love and everyone teases them about how crazy they are about each other...
I mean even with the misunderstanding/cheating trope, she sees him kissing someone else in a hotel lobby, turns and runs and, by the time he gets to her SHE is asking for his forgiveness for overreacting (?) I am all for healthy love stories, but no one in the history of ever would see their SO kissing someone else and at the very least not ask what was happening. Much less someone who spends half the book explaining how she has trust issues and low self esteem because every partner she's ever had cheated on her...
I don't like DNFing books, but this was a close call. It's a 2 star because as I said, it's not exactly badly written but I just couldn't connect with the characters or the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 16, 2024
It was OK
This is my first by this author. Peaked my interest as one book of hers has been made as a movie on Passionflix.
The storyline itself was not bad, but there was something very basic about her writing that did not grab my attention. Some details were repeated needlessly and a then others never mentioned at all.
My biggest problem was with the FMC - trust issues. She catches the MMC in a situation- runs off but then without any info not only forgives him in 1.2 seconds AND apologizes for her behavior?? Hold up! What!?? 😲 Actions didn’t make sense.
For a ‘security’ company, it would seem they asked the important questions a bit late.
This is my first by this author. Peaked my interest as one book of hers has been made as a movie on Passionflix.
The storyline itself was not bad, but there was something very basic about her writing that did not grab my attention. Some details were repeated needlessly and a then others never mentioned at all.
My biggest problem was with the FMC - trust issues. She catches the MMC in a situation- runs off but then without any info not only forgives him in 1.2 seconds AND apologizes for her behavior?? Hold up! What!?? 😲 Actions didn’t make sense.
For a ‘security’ company, it would seem they asked the important questions a bit late.
January 8, 2023
Intelligent people doing stupid stuff
I liked the characters and the storyline but there was a lot of stupid written in the book. Nick is supposed to be suffering from being distracted on a prior mission and people died. So why author wrote so much about his guilt then have him do the exact same prying more than once. There are a lot of sex scenes for those who enjoy those. I don't understand all the good reviews with all the supposedly intelligent people continuously do stupid things.
I liked the characters and the storyline but there was a lot of stupid written in the book. Nick is supposed to be suffering from being distracted on a prior mission and people died. So why author wrote so much about his guilt then have him do the exact same prying more than once. There are a lot of sex scenes for those who enjoy those. I don't understand all the good reviews with all the supposedly intelligent people continuously do stupid things.
August 11, 2022
Amazon / Paperback
Lainie's no longer Nick's sister's awkward, nerdy friend. Well, she's still his sister's friend, but now she's all grown up into the beautiful, intelligent and highly successful CEO of her own company. She's also been receiving graphic death threats that have Nick's protective (and otherwise) instincts buzzing. Nick may have spent years trying to keep his feelings for Lainie hidden deep inside, but knowing she's in danger means now he's going to be in her orbit, in her personal space, and he just knows keeping those feelings hidden is going to be harder than ever. Will he give into the chemistry that's only gotten stronger over the years since the explosive kiss they shared years ago?
Lainie's had a crush on her best friend Nola's big brother, Nick, nearly her whole life. But he's never acknowledged anything between them since that kiss they shared. When she starts receiving death threats and her company is hit with cyber attacks, who better to come to her rescue than Nick? A former SEAL, former CIA operative and current security specialist? She's sworn off men, thanks to some less than great exes, though, so she'll have to remember that when the heat between her and Nick threatens to finally combust. Will Nick be able to protect more than just her body? Or will her heart be a casualty in the deadly game someone's playing with her life?
This is an excellent way to start a new series. I am always fond of the friend's brother trope, and Anna has done well by it with Lainie and Wolf's story. She's awesome - smart, sassy and strong. The chemistry between her and Nick was obvious from their very first scene together, and I was rooting them on so hard for Nick to let go of his guilt and claim his woman. There are some new players also, whose stories I am really looking forward to - Nick's boss Killian, introduced in the last Norcross story, The Protector, especially is someone I've got to read more about. But not just him, there's Hades and Matteo and Hex, hacker extraordinaire. I am really impatient now for this new series!
ARC provided by Wildfire Marketing Solutions for an honest review.
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June 20, 2023
Quickie review: 3.25 stars. This was not quite as good as the other book I read by this author. Nick was too one-dimensional and being growly was his main personality trait. The story was entertaining, but lacked in chemistry
January 28, 2023
3.5 STARS
What's the matter with all machismo in it, three security companies assembled against a silly villain woman? Lack of competency or... poor plot, I think. 🙄
What's the matter with all machismo in it, three security companies assembled against a silly villain woman? Lack of competency or... poor plot, I think. 🙄
August 3, 2022
Series: Sentinel Security #1
Rating: 4 stars - It was really good
When CEO Lainie Madden starts receiving death threats and cyber attacks against her company, she finds herself relying on her best friend's bossy and hot older brother for help. Former SEAL and CIA agent Nick “Wolf” Garrick is determined to keep Lainie safe and ignore how much he is attracted to her.
I am always excited when I see a new series from Anna Hackett, especially one that is a spin-off. The Sentinel Security men originally appeared in the Norcross Series and I have been eagerly waiting to learn more about them. This book is all about Nick “Wolf” Garrick and his longtime crush on his sister's best friend.
Nick is a former SEAL and CIA agent. He is an alpha male with a protective streak. After a bad mission, he is even more protective of those who he cares about. He has been fighting his feelings for Lainie since they were teenagers but now he can no longer fight it, especially after she gets injured. I love when a character loses his shit because the one he cares about is injured and Nick really embodied that. I loved how he took care of Lainie, especially after he decided he was keeping her. Nick was just a great alpha hero.
“When I’m with you, Nick, you make me feel safe, protected…I know you’ll be there for me, no matter what.”
Lainie was a workaholic who has created a thriving company. She has had some terrible luck with men and now is leary of starting any relationship. She tries to keep Nick at arms length at first, but that doesn’t last long once she realizes he feels the same. I really liked Lainie. She never let Nick hide her or keep her from knowing what was going on. She was a capable woman and she never lets Nick forget that. I also loved that when shit hit the fan, she knew he was going to save her and tries to protect herself until he can get there. She doesn’t wine and cry and follow along to keep herself safe. She fights back and I love seeing that.
The Sentinel Security team was very interesting. I loved the characters we met so far, even if we don’t know a lot about them. I especially loved Hex and can’t wait to see her fall in love. She seems like she will be a fun character. Overall, this was a great start for a new series and I can’t wait to learn more about this team.
Trigger warnings: death threats; attempted murder; death of a sibling from cancer referenced; PTSD; violent death of a mother and child during a mission referenced; cheating by ex’s discussed; Wolf is kissed by another woman after they are together.
*ARC provided by the author for an honest review.*
You can also find my reviews at Red-Haired Ash Reads.
Rating: 4 stars - It was really good
When CEO Lainie Madden starts receiving death threats and cyber attacks against her company, she finds herself relying on her best friend's bossy and hot older brother for help. Former SEAL and CIA agent Nick “Wolf” Garrick is determined to keep Lainie safe and ignore how much he is attracted to her.
I am always excited when I see a new series from Anna Hackett, especially one that is a spin-off. The Sentinel Security men originally appeared in the Norcross Series and I have been eagerly waiting to learn more about them. This book is all about Nick “Wolf” Garrick and his longtime crush on his sister's best friend.
Nick is a former SEAL and CIA agent. He is an alpha male with a protective streak. After a bad mission, he is even more protective of those who he cares about. He has been fighting his feelings for Lainie since they were teenagers but now he can no longer fight it, especially after she gets injured. I love when a character loses his shit because the one he cares about is injured and Nick really embodied that. I loved how he took care of Lainie, especially after he decided he was keeping her. Nick was just a great alpha hero.
“When I’m with you, Nick, you make me feel safe, protected…I know you’ll be there for me, no matter what.”
Lainie was a workaholic who has created a thriving company. She has had some terrible luck with men and now is leary of starting any relationship. She tries to keep Nick at arms length at first, but that doesn’t last long once she realizes he feels the same. I really liked Lainie. She never let Nick hide her or keep her from knowing what was going on. She was a capable woman and she never lets Nick forget that. I also loved that when shit hit the fan, she knew he was going to save her and tries to protect herself until he can get there. She doesn’t wine and cry and follow along to keep herself safe. She fights back and I love seeing that.
The Sentinel Security team was very interesting. I loved the characters we met so far, even if we don’t know a lot about them. I especially loved Hex and can’t wait to see her fall in love. She seems like she will be a fun character. Overall, this was a great start for a new series and I can’t wait to learn more about this team.
Trigger warnings: death threats; attempted murder; death of a sibling from cancer referenced; PTSD; violent death of a mother and child during a mission referenced; cheating by ex’s discussed; Wolf is kissed by another woman after they are together.
*ARC provided by the author for an honest review.*
You can also find my reviews at Red-Haired Ash Reads.
August 14, 2022
Hoo-boy! New series, new crew, a couple of drop-ins by familiar faces. My heart eyes are strong with this one. (and that cover! Niiiiice!)
Nick's a former Navy SEAL who is still trying to work his way out from under the baggage his stepfather handed him as a kid. Which is to say, he doesn't think he's good enough for a woman like Lainie since he's just a guy with an ex-con for a father who's had to get his hands dirty in the line of duty. He also has a heaping dose of guilt over a mission that took a turn and that colors his outlook about himself in a lot of ways.
Lainie, on the other hand, is willing to give this thing between her and Nick a go if the big guy would give her ANY sort of sign he wanted it. It isn't until things turn deadly that Nick realizes that the safest (and best) place for Lainie to be is in his arms. And his bed. Although that last part might not have anything to do with her security and is just him coming to the realization she's the best thing that ever happened to him and he needs to hold on tight.
A new crew to get to know, a little danger to keep everyone on their toes, a little steam, more than a few sparks, and a couple who light up the night. I was going to say "not literally" about the light up the night part, but there was one *tiny* little explosion. Barely noticeable. For sure.
Anywho. *thumbs up" all around. I'm excited to meet the Sentinel team as they fall one by one.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
Nick's a former Navy SEAL who is still trying to work his way out from under the baggage his stepfather handed him as a kid. Which is to say, he doesn't think he's good enough for a woman like Lainie since he's just a guy with an ex-con for a father who's had to get his hands dirty in the line of duty. He also has a heaping dose of guilt over a mission that took a turn and that colors his outlook about himself in a lot of ways.
Lainie, on the other hand, is willing to give this thing between her and Nick a go if the big guy would give her ANY sort of sign he wanted it. It isn't until things turn deadly that Nick realizes that the safest (and best) place for Lainie to be is in his arms. And his bed. Although that last part might not have anything to do with her security and is just him coming to the realization she's the best thing that ever happened to him and he needs to hold on tight.
A new crew to get to know, a little danger to keep everyone on their toes, a little steam, more than a few sparks, and a couple who light up the night. I was going to say "not literally" about the light up the night part, but there was one *tiny* little explosion. Barely noticeable. For sure.
Anywho. *thumbs up" all around. I'm excited to meet the Sentinel team as they fall one by one.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
August 10, 2022
I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE a series surrounding a security company, so I was excited about Wolf as it was a fantastic introduction for Sentinel Security, and I NEED MORE NOW! Wolf is a super sexy bada** who isn't one for relationships as his past isn't the best, and he has some demons from his work before this job. Lainie is his sister's best friend, and she needs help but she's not even trying to get any of it from him until he pretty much carries her to a place where he lets her know that he's going to keep her safe LOL! She's been getting pretty serious threats, and while they're of the murdery variety, she hasn't really taken them that seriously to this point. Once she has protection, the threats really escalate so now there's danger stalking her every step. On top of all this danger, the sparks are flying between these two despite the fact that they're trying to not act on it but it was only a matter of time. Wolf had everything I love in a book, twists coming in hot, a sexy alpha protector, a super strong heroine, a bada** supporting cast (especially the females), heat, emotion, and action so yeah, every page was utter perfection in my eyes & I CANNOT WAIT FOR MORE! HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
August 5, 2022
I have a feeling there’s another excellent series to be had here! Nick and Lainie have known each other for years, and it would appear that they’ve both got a case of unrequited something. Love? Lust? Both? So when Lainie needs help that is right up Nick’s alley, he jumps at the chance to protect her. After all, she’s his little sister’s best friend. Nothing more. Totally nothing more at all. Too bad his heart and body aren’t reading that memo.
The new faces, the twists to find out who wants Lainie out of the picture in both a professional and personal sense, and the attraction between these two make for a book I was loathe to put down. We see some familiar faces, have a few red herrings (or maybe not) thrown our way, and get to enjoy powerful women who aren’t afraid to throw a punch. Lucky for Lainie, it would appear that Nick wants exactly her and all that she has to offer. And lucky for Nick, Lainie is willing to stop and communicate, even when things look really bad. And now I can’t wait for more of this group because I see some fun and love and danger ahead.
The new faces, the twists to find out who wants Lainie out of the picture in both a professional and personal sense, and the attraction between these two make for a book I was loathe to put down. We see some familiar faces, have a few red herrings (or maybe not) thrown our way, and get to enjoy powerful women who aren’t afraid to throw a punch. Lucky for Lainie, it would appear that Nick wants exactly her and all that she has to offer. And lucky for Nick, Lainie is willing to stop and communicate, even when things look really bad. And now I can’t wait for more of this group because I see some fun and love and danger ahead.
December 10, 2022
4/5*
Plot 4/5 | Characters 4/5 | Romance 4/5 | Spice 4/5 | Audiobook 6/5 (SO good!)
As far as romance books go, this book was absolutely solid. The plot was full of twisted suspense to try figure out where are the threats are coming from, the romance and spice was HOT as hell! The MCs were both super solid and strong. I like the confidence they both carried through the book.
For me, I like a tiny bit more angst in the relationship, and Lainie was a tad bit too perfect, but of course she is beautiful and smart and rich and is barely phased by attacks.... but that is just knit-picking a great book. I wouldn't let that deter me from picking this one up. I am just trying to explain why, with so much to love, this book was a 4* for me and not a 5*.
If you are into romance with friends to lovers and a macho man protecting his love interest, this is the book for you.
Plot 4/5 | Characters 4/5 | Romance 4/5 | Spice 4/5 | Audiobook 6/5 (SO good!)
As far as romance books go, this book was absolutely solid. The plot was full of twisted suspense to try figure out where are the threats are coming from, the romance and spice was HOT as hell! The MCs were both super solid and strong. I like the confidence they both carried through the book.
For me, I like a tiny bit more angst in the relationship, and Lainie was a tad bit too perfect, but of course she is beautiful and smart and rich and is barely phased by attacks.... but that is just knit-picking a great book. I wouldn't let that deter me from picking this one up. I am just trying to explain why, with so much to love, this book was a 4* for me and not a 5*.
If you are into romance with friends to lovers and a macho man protecting his love interest, this is the book for you.
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