Watchdog

by Sage Kafsky

Artemis’s dream job on the president's security detail has just become her worst nightmare.

The assignment of a lifetime? Check. Diving headfirst into the action on a national stage? Got it.

Her hopes of a positive work environment? Snuffed out like a candle the moment she realizes that she has to work with him.

Since their first days at the academy, Luke Ryder has made it his personal mission to make her life miserable. He’s swept her legs out from under her at every opportunity, but now, in the real world, they’re finally on a level playing field… if she can find a way to win over the boss who underestimates her and the grumpy teenagers she’s sworn to protect. Everything changes when a conspiracy rears its shadowy head, forcing them together as it threatens the president's children and drags innocents into its path. Will Artemis be able to overcome her prejudice and work together with Luke to keep their wards from its clutches? Or will the sparks between them send the whole system burning to the ground?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary

281 pages, Paperback

Published December 4, 2023

About the author

Sage Kafsky began writing at a young age. She is passionate about puns and the great outdoors. When she's not writing, Sage enjoys spending time out in nature, reading fantasy novels, and going on adventures. She currently lives in Tennessee with her husband, their daughter, and their furry and feathery family members.

Reviews

[Destiny Imperati · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book kept me on the edge of my seat. It was packed with thrills, mysteries and so much suspense, I think my favorite character is Artemis, he was a great character! The enemies to lover’s trope is amazing and really added to the plot. I most definitely will be recommending this read!

[Danielle Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it.. these types of books are my kind of books.. the thrill, the suspense and the mystery.. awesome 👌

[Rubi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh!!! I loved it couldn’t put it down ! 10/10 recommend it was such a suspense!!

[Tianna Delgado · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolute page turner! This action packed thriller will keep you coming back for more! The banter between Artemis and Luke is great and just adds a layer of intrigue to all the adrenaline of action! Amazing read definitely would recommend! 10/10

[AnaConda · Rating 4 out of 5]

“You are infuriating. You are also fierce, and smart, and brave, and… competent.”
“Competent, eh?”
“Self-sufficient? Independent? Capable? Choose a synonym, Richards,” he scowled at me as he stuffed his hands into the pockets of his pants. “I’m trying to give you a compliment.”
“So, we’re back to ‘infuriating’ then?”

💞 Rivals to Lovers, Coworkers
✨ Mysteries & Conspiracies
✨ Agents / Bodyguards to the President’s Family
✨ Mutually Protective
✨ Medium/Slow Burn

Plot Summary: After finishing their training at an academy, Luke and Artemis are assigned to protect the president’s kids. Quickly, they realize this will be more than a simple babysitting job, as the attacks and kidnapping attempt are getting more frequent, and they have to get over their rivalry, as the other is the only one they might actually be able to trust…

✅ They are realistic rivals/enemies with plenty history and no over the top conflicts or bullying history, but good banter. Instead of being caused by some dumb misunderstanding or just “not liking” each other, their rivalry is genuinely based on competition. And once they have to work together, they can be professional, but still have competetive banter.

“Just Artemis fawning over Luke Ryder again,” she crowed.
I rolled my eyes. “If by fawning, you mean he’s a deer, I have a gun, and it’s open season, then sure.”

✅The character development was pretty great. The characters started out kimda childish, still in the academy/school mindset, but they learned quick that there is no place for that in the real world, and they adjust accordingly and learn to work together, to banter, to trust…

The smile on Luke’s face slowly faded as reality set in once again. I was sorry to see it go. He had a nice smile. It was like a patch of bright blue amidst all the thunderheads: refreshing and unexpected. Nice, Artemis. Now you’re waxing poetic. I snorted at myself, making Luke’s expression shift into concern—probably for my sanity.

➖ The pacing was a bit all over the place. Really good at times, but around the middle part there is a lot of repetitive stuff, where we watch a house being sweeped for the third time, or random debriefs in which no new information is learned… It‘s not too bad, but it did make me skim a bit at times.

“We did have a moment earlier,” I admitted quietly.
“That’s all I was asking,” he said conversationally; we might have been talking about the weather, for all his neutral tone implied. 
“Why?”
“I thought it was interesting.”
“What was interesting?”
“That it’s mutual.”

❌ The trope in which the superiors and people of authority are incompetent and refuse to listen for no good reason. After they already had traitors in their midst they refuse to consider that it might’ve happened again.

Conclusion
It‘s a fun read! Definitely more young adult and the romance is a bit more of a subplot, but still a good read. I liked the agent academy elements, though I did wish that throughout the book we would have seen more of the things they actually trained besides their fighting skills. Still, I liked the characters, the romance, the plot, how the romance developed… A good read!

[Katherine Storm Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, this was suspenseful and fun.
Romance is very subtle in this, very slow burn.
In the begging the banter between the two MC's gave Ethan and Maggie from The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year and I wasn't sure how to feel about it (as I had loved that book), but as the plot progressed the feeling passed and I was able to enjoy the story for what it was.
The one thing I don't understand is the need for the brief, 1 paragraph or 1 page, 3rd person POV's of the first kids and Luke. As far as I could tell, those did not add anything to the story.
There was no real reason we couldn't just have stayed in Artemis POV the whole time.
Other than that, it was a quick and gripping read.

[Marcella Harper · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love this author. Her first novel seems well suited for youngsters. Lots of eye 👀 rolls, snorts, and elbow jabs. I wished for less subtext that revealed the primary character's insecurity. Just stick to the plot; let me figure out the subtext. Still, I enjoyed her regular employment of simile and metaphor. Thank you for sharing your work. Keep at it!! ❤️

[E'Who'Reads'a'Thousand'Mysteries · Rating 4 out of 5]

This exciting enemy to lovers action tale reminds me of Quantico on TV. The characters are well developed, the dialogue is realistic, and the pacing of the plot is exciting yet suspenseful. Thrilling!

[Madeline Nixon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun book. I’m a huge fan of enemies to lovers, so the progression between Artemis and Luke was fabulous. I also loved the suspense aspect. I would love to see their romance develop more and adventures continue if Sage ever wants to write more in this world!

[HorsesDogsAndBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so much fun. Banter for DAYS! If you aren’t following Sage Kafsky you’re missing out - can’t wait to read more from this author!

[Jada West · Rating 4 out of 5]

The slow burn k!!led me.

This wasn’t my typical book but i grew to love it. The slow burn was burningggggg. It was a good read and I’d 100% read her writing again!

[KyrieMacReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to read this story as an ARC and am giving an honest review.

Watchdog is a decently paced, single POV, medium-ish suspense, enemies to lovers book. The premise of the story is pretty straightforward in that the 2 main characters are assigned a job and, through forced proximity, fall into like with each other. If you are looking for spice, this is not the book, but the story is well written.

[anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very cute standalone that will keep you turning pages to find out what happens next. Sage Kafsky adds twists into her stories so well. Just when you think it’s becoming obvious, things will switch up on you. Don’t sleep on this indie author and her ability to capture your interests!