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Navy Seal Malachai Dupree has everything a man could want. Well, not everything. The one woman he wants is too innocent for his Dominant needs, so he plays the role of supportive friend even if it kills him.
Amanda Forrester is tired of being treated as if she were fragile. She might have been through a rough patch losing her husband in the line of duty, but she is not a wimp. Her feelings for Mal have grown and she is more than ready to be the woman he needs in and out of the bedroom.
One night she pushes him too far and the result is more than either of them ever expected. Mal wants forever, but after losing one husband, commitment isn’t in Amanda’s vocabulary. What she doesn’t realize is that Mal is one Seal who isn’t backing down until he gets exactly what he wants: Amanda’s total submission.

WARNING, the following book contains: Sexy Navy Seals, a stubborn woman, and of course, a little submission. This book has one of those hot Duprees, so you know that you will need a glass of water to cool off. Every Addict will tell you that reading a Harmless book is anything BUT harmless—so read at your own risk.

129 pages, ebook

First published June 1, 2012

23 people are currently reading
520 people want to read

About the author

Melissa Schroeder

212 books1,660 followers
USA Today bestselling author Melissa Schroeder has had almost 90 short stories, novellas, and novels published in the last 15 years.

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5 stars
168 (40%)
4 stars
143 (34%)
3 stars
83 (20%)
2 stars
16 (3%)
1 star
3 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
Profile Image for Farmers Wife.
112 reviews
July 23, 2012
Another great read by Melissa Schroeder. She's my go to author for erotic/smut :-D
1,925 reviews5 followers
February 2, 2019
Malachi has been attracted to Amanda but has not acted on it because she lost her husband. Amanda has been dealing with the mess her husband left behind after he died.
One night, she challenges Malachi and as a Dom, he does not back down. He spends all the time he can with her. When he wants to take it further, she backs off. Can he prove to her he is not like any of the men she has been with?
Profile Image for Julie.
1,638 reviews2 followers
February 8, 2018
Mal and Amanda

Friends to lovers, sort of, since she is the widow of a SEAL on his team. And she doesn’t want to get involved with another military man, especially with her father being a general.
So they have issues to work through. They are realistically portrayed overall I think, given that you know there will be an HEA.
Profile Image for Sue MacKenzie.
1,682 reviews15 followers
December 21, 2024
Burnt before and scared to again

Because of bad relationships, including her deceased husband, she's scared to get into another relationship.
What she doesn't realize is that he's already deep in her heart and she's in his.
It takes family and friends stepping in to make them realize what they have is worth fighting for.
Profile Image for Annelle Lord.
2 reviews
June 12, 2017
I have been trying to find the #4 and 5 to purchase but I can't. Any suggestions?
Profile Image for Latochia Hawkins.
279 reviews11 followers
August 19, 2012
If the cover can tell you how SEXY the book is, this one is a winner all around.
First off, this book is in a series, so to truly understand the characters I would advise anyone to start with the first book in the series. If you don't, you can be a little lost and not agree with some of the things happening. Also, if you do not like interracial romances, this is not the book for you.
Malachai Dupree (Mal) is a Navy Seal who has been there for everyone he cares about. He has a strong family background (which you learn in other parts of the series) and this has molded him into the person he is today.
Amanda Forrester is the widow of one of Mal's friends that was killed in combat. The death of her husband has affected all those around her. The affects on her were due to things she found out after his death and this is where the story begins.
When Amanda's husband was killed in a mission that went wrong, Mal took it upon himself to make sure she was ok. And when his job took him to D.C. it gave Mal more of an opportunity to see Amanda.
Amanda was heartbroken and hurt, and while Mal was her friend, she begun to feel a stronger connection to him. And Mal was also feeling the same, but he didn't want to overstep his boundaries.
When Mal found Amanda in a BDSM club with her friend, he nearly lost it. The tension and emotions were enough to burn the pages. And Amanda pushed Mal in just the right way to get his walls down.
But while Amanda was feeling this strong attraction to Mal, she still couldn't let go of the emotional baggage that causes her to doubt all men.
The two have to decide if they are going to fight to be together or walk away from what could be what they both need.

I personally waited for this book ever since Mal was mentioned in the series. And it was definitely played into the storyline well. The only thing wrong with it was that it was too short. But since the characters are all intertwined, I am sure we will see Mal and Amanda again.
The chemistry the two had was brought to the forefront by Amanda going to the club, but she wasn't prepared for what she unleashed in Mal. That made the story more fun and suspenseful. Trying to figure out if she would be able to overcome the boundaries was refreshing.
Profile Image for Sally.
303 reviews
July 7, 2012
Finally this is the book about sexy Malachai Dupree that has been waiting to be told since the beginning of the excellent A Little Harmless Military series.

Malachai Dupree is currently stationed at the Pentagon, tied to a desk he is missing being out in the field but during his spare time he makes sure he looks out for Amanda Forrester, the widow of one of his friends who died in combat. Malachai is a true Dom and for the past six months has started to see Amanda in a different way that he believes he shouldn't be doing. Although he dreams of her as his submissive, she is too young and innocent and he believes she would not want to be part of his world.

Amanda knows that Malachai Dupree is a Dom and that if she was ever lucky to get past his friendliness and pity towards her and make him aware that she is all woman, she is going to have to up her game and become a player. Is she prepared to throw caution to the wind and possibly loose the friendship they currently share? Only one way to find out and that is to enter the world of BDSM and see if the big Dom has what it takes to make her feel loved.

This as everything you would expect from Ms. Schroeder and the Harmless series. This is a really quick read because you just don't want to put the book down. It is funny, emotional and extremely sexy. Mal is so hot, like all the Dupree family that have been introduced of the two series, with the fact that he is a SEAL and his sexy friends are there to help him find love – what's not to love about him? My only problem is that this book is not long enough and kept me panting for more.

Every time a new book comes out it's like coming home to the family and I just love hearing all the news be it in Hawaii, New Orleans or Washington. Already looking forward to the next instalment, it can't come quick enough!!!
Profile Image for Joyfully Reviewed.
510 reviews252 followers
September 18, 2014
Amanda Forrester is in need of some lovin’ but the one man she wants doesn’t seem to want to take advantage of her as she would like. Well she is ready to push his every button to change his mind. Malachai Dupree is a Navy Seal with an excellent career. His latest assignment has him working near his only weakness. Amanda was the wife of a fallen friend. He has tried to watch out for her but it’s becoming increasingly difficult for him to keep his hands off her. Will Amanda be able to handle Mal’s dominant nature?

Will Amanda and Mal find love or heartbreak in D. C.?

Malachai Dupree is Hawt!! And you will definitely want to Surrender to him before you finish this Fab story! Mal and Amanda thaw out D. C. in Surrender. These two pack quite a punch. Their need for each other is fierce and blistering. I couldn’t wait for both of them to tell each other how they truly feel about one another. But before they do that both characters must face the truths that have been staring them in the eyes for a while. Amanda’s pain has been holding her back for too long and Mal has been using many excuses to force himself to stay away from Amanda. Mal is of course the sexy hero you would expect to find in one of Ms. Schroeder’s Harmless books but it’s Amanda that pulled at my heart. She’s worked hard to get to the point where she is now and I respect her for it. I wanted her to get her man so badly. My favorite moment comes when both characters realize they can no longer avoid the sinfully sexy sexual tension between them. Surrender is another Little Harmless Military Romance that you absolutely do not want to miss!

Reviewed by Miranda for Joyfully Reviewed
Profile Image for Lia.
122 reviews2 followers
January 16, 2017
For most of this book I was more interested in the side characters (Abby and her "Larry" lol) than the main ones. While Mal seemed like a cool guy judging by the previous books, here we find out what a little pussy he is... don't get me wrong, he was in love, sure guys are supposed to be like that when in love, right? lol no. I don't know, honestly.. but what he did in this book? naah.. he had feelings for Amanda, I get that, then they fall in bed after a while of trying not to jump each other (for like half a year). And then they're so in love that he gets drunk off his ass when they have a little fight because of a very stupid move he pulls on poor damaged Amanda. Oh yes because she is broken for her late husband and every other partner of hers cheated on her so obviously there must be something wrong with her, right? Nope. But it's just one of those things that females in books tend to think... so she goes on and on about how she isn't worthy and blah blah and they make it all up and live hea. ugh?

But I'm giving it 3 stars. It's not bad, it's not good, it's something in between.

So I guess this was it for me. I understand that this author has lots of fans who enjoy her books but I don't belong to them. It was okay for a quickie but it was rushed, and that's just not my style. Not going to read any more of the series or from the author
Profile Image for SandyL.
3,736 reviews
August 11, 2014
Sexy, quick read! Malachi Dupree is a Marine assigned to the Pentagon, which he doesn't like except that he gets to keep an eye on Amanda Forrester, the widow of a fellow Marine that Mal has been helping out. He's really into her, but she's off limits - both because she's his buddy's widow and also Mal is a Dom, and he feels he would be too much for her. It's been 18 months since Amanda lost her husband, the guy everyone thought was terrific and that they think she's still grieving for. Amanda has been getting over the betrayal she found out about after her husband was killed, and is determined not to get married again. In fact, every guy she's been with has cheated on her, so she doesn't trust her judgment any longer. But that Mal is really fine!! And a girl can fantasize, can't she? One night her BFF and co-owner of their flower biz drags her to the premier BDSM club in DC, which Mal is a member of. And, as expected, she sees him there. Mal isn't letting any other guy get his hands on Amanda, so he drags her home and starts to introduce her to the lifestyle. Things are going great, but then go downhill when Mal wants more - Amanda isn't going there again!
Profile Image for Donna.
4,132 reviews57 followers
July 6, 2012
The 3rd installment of Melissa Schroeder’s ALH Military Romance series may just be the sweetest one yet. That’s not to say it doesn’t have the steam factor that the rest of the ALH books do it’s just that at the end rather than say whew I wanted to say aww. Nothing wrong with that.

Amanda Forrester is the young widow of a Navy Seal. Navy Seal Malachai Dupree has been watching (and lusting) over her since her husband’s death. Amanda is ready to rejoin the living but wants nothing to do with a military man despite her attraction to Malachai. Malachai lusts after Amanda but doesn’t think she’d go for the kinky sex he likes. Imagine his surprise when she shows up at his club.

This story has a strong sexy woman taking back her life who makes a smoking hot sailor weak in the knees.
Profile Image for  B.E.Love.
1,390 reviews132 followers
August 17, 2012
this is a great interracial short. Mal and Amanda have been friends since Amanda's husband passed away. Amanda could always count on him to be there for her, but lately they both have been wanting more from one another. So one day Amanda and her friend decide to go visit Mal at a club that Mal frequents so that she can finally tell him how she feels and get what she's been wanting from him. As there relationship grows Amanda has to decide if she's ready and able to let go of her deceased husbands betray and move forward with Mal so they can both be happy. I love that Melissa Schroeder put in an epilogue so we were able to see Mal and Amanda in the future. I didn't realize that this was a part of a series I was just looking for a WW/BM book but I will be reading the rest of the series.
525 reviews5 followers
November 28, 2012
Malachai finally finds his one woman he can't live without, but he feels she is so off limits that its driving him crazy. Amanda is the widow of his fallen team mate, but she has Mal all twisted up about just being friends. When Amanda gets hurt and Mal is called to come get her things start to change. Mal wants her but he just feels like he is taking advantage of her and the situation. Amanda doesn't understand why he want act on their attraction. Mal tries to get his mind off things and goes to the BDSM club he is a member of but when he sees Amanda there with her friend he decides no other Dom will touch her. Little did he know that is what Amanda was wanting. Things heat up fast between them, but will she be wiling to be his forever.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Heather in FL.
2,063 reviews
July 8, 2012
Another great installment from this series. I really wanted to smack Amanda. Well first I wanted to smack Mal... I understand why he kept his distance, but if she's flirting with him, it's been long enough since her husband died. And once they got together, it was fireworks. But when Amanda just flat turned him down, my heart broke a little for Mal. He was really putting his heart on the line for her, and it seemed like she just shoved it aside like it meant nothing. She had to know it was a big deal for Mal. But she was almost cruel! I'm glad it was ultimately an HEA, but she's just lucky he loved her so much, lol.
Profile Image for Black Butterfly.
2,630 reviews39 followers
May 12, 2013
A SHORT READ BUT A VERY GOOD STORYLINE. A LOVE STORY BETWEEN MALACHAI DUPREE & AMANDA FORRESTER HE IS A NAVY SEAL, SHE A WIDOW OF A NAVY SEAL. MILITARY LIFE IS NOT FOR EVERYONE SO MANY FACTORS COME INTO PLAY. TO BE A MEMBER OR THE SPOUSE OF A MILITARY PERSON IS HARD ON YOUR RELATIONHIP. THIS IS ALSO AN IR, BDSM, EROTICA, VERY TASTEFULLY DONE. I LIKE THE FACT NONE OF THAT REALLY MATTERED NOR WAS IT OVERPLAYED, THIS IS JUST A LOVE STORY, A VERY BEAUTIFUL ONE AT THAT. SMOKIN' HOT COVER TOO. GROWL!!
Profile Image for Dar.
4,538 reviews93 followers
August 17, 2015
These two won me over rather quickly, I mean, they resisted, and everyone around them knew they were attracted and should be together, but nothing could stop them being together

Lusting after your buddies widow is not allowed, but Mal can't stop himself once she places herself directly in his path. But that is only half the battle, because once they get together, Mal has to fight Amanda's attitude on long-term relationships

It is all worth the fight in the end, because this is one of those couples that is epic together, and nothing can stop that
Profile Image for Christy.
596 reviews
October 26, 2012
This was a good story with interesting characters and I liked it. That said, it just didn't have the uumph I need to rate it higher. Maybe the length left it underdeveloped or rushed, or maybe it just wasn't my cuppa. I really wanted to like it more, but in the end my response was "It was good, not great."
Profile Image for Daune Mc.
34 reviews
July 12, 2012
Navy Seal Malachai Dupree wants Amanda Forrester for forever! But first they have to work through their issues. Amanda lost her husband a little over a year ago.The scenes between them are Hot, burn the house down hot! Melissa has done it again.The only downside is the story ended, but I hope to hear about them again in the near future.
Profile Image for Nicole Banks.
Author 42 books380 followers
August 14, 2012
I love this ladies books but can I get it just a tad bit longer please? Shit was over in like five mins and I'm actually quite annoyed by that because I was really looking forward to Mal's book and I'm honestly left disappointed....talk about a shot gun romance
Profile Image for Texas Book Lover.
408 reviews
May 22, 2012
My only compaint is that I really wish these books were longer. They seem so rushed and I would love to spend more time with them while relationships develope.
Profile Image for Charlene  Torres.
155 reviews35 followers
January 28, 2014
As much as I loves the story I feel like it was just waaaay too short. At the end it just felt completely rushed.
On another note I hope that addy and Walton get their own story
Profile Image for Marran.
1,759 reviews25 followers
August 23, 2012
pretty good..but I still feel like schroeders books are a bit to shallow...I want more feelings and ust and oh I don't know I just feel like its missing something
Profile Image for Betty.
219 reviews
September 27, 2013

I did enjoy this one but i left the story line was little rushed to get to the end.
Profile Image for Sue Stewart.
1,680 reviews11 followers
March 24, 2014
Loved this series! The Dom highlights in this book were way HOT! Loved how Mal brought Amanda out of her shell! Can't wait to read about Vic and Addy!
Profile Image for Karry.
1,420 reviews21 followers
October 5, 2014
A great ending to this trio of books. A very worthy read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews

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