Unfounded

Invictus Securities #1

by Angela Rush

Marley

I'm a simple girl who's had a hard life. Mom raised me to be independent, to not depend on a man for anything.
However, things have been happening that I'm no longer able to handle on my own. I feel like I'm drowning. I don't see a way out. Then when I'm at my lowest. He appears offering to save me. The man I've been daydreaming about for the last year. Can I trust him not only with my safety, but with my heart?

Luke

I'm infatuated with an adorable waitress. I've never had an issue asking women out before, but she is different. Marley sees me for who I am, a successful businessman with a sharp mind, even though I lost the ability to walk.
When I find her sobbing and alone, the need to protect her overwhelms me. Once she lets me in on her frightening situation my fate is sealed.

Marley is mine and no one will harm her again.

As my security company begins to dig into the mysterious events, I uncover a conspiracy that is a matter of national security. I'll do whatever I can to keep Marley safe, while hopefully preventing a terrorist attack on our country. While chaos is all around us, I will show her that her fears about falling in love are unfounded.

Genres: Contemporary

460 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 4, 2024

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF 49% how the hell did this book get so many four and five stars? First and foremost who the hell says "horny hole"? When I first read that I almost quit reading right there and then. Is the author 13 years old? Give me a break! Then the female character Marley is so "Woe is me I am poor Luke is never going to want to be with me'. Constantly! I mean almost every other page she's in her head bemoaning the fact that luke, who's a good man wants to help her out of her predicament. Always quoting what her mother said about men. Is your mom angry at the world for what happened between her and Marley's dad? Yes she is. And her mother has every right to be mad at her father for treating her the way he did but to warp her brained thinking is not a good idea to accept help from men was wrong. A lot of people I know live on a very tight budget and are considered low income but you don't hear them moaning and crying like she does I literally want to put a bullet in my head every time she moans about that. And enough with the crying please! Like the first half of the book boohoo boohoo boohoo. Ugh! And what happened to the bad guys it was like the author just kind of forgot that she was being stalked, loss of income because her finances got hacked, almost getting kicked out of her apartment because whoever is stalking her made sure that her payments have been erased, her car being repo because of said stalker and then being followed home and her home being broken into and ransacked. I read up until 49%, hoping the bad guys returned just for something other than hearing her whine and complain but alas here comes the waterworks when Luke is trying to buy her some clothes because hers got torn up by her stalker. And there is no way I'm reading book two cuz it's only going to get worse. Apparently in book two Marley's friend who is overweight is coming in to help celebrate her wedding and she's going to get hooked up with Bo. I can only imagine it's going to be a book about her boohooing that she's fat and won't love her. I can't deal with that either.

[Ellie (On a break, mostly rereading) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unfounded is the first book of the series Invictus Securities by Angela Rush. Rush is a new to me author, but I'm definitely going to be sticking around for the rest of this series. Additionally, at the very least I want to read the book of the story of the male hero's younger sister (Daisy, Finding His Destiny 3).

Luke has been looking after his younger siblings since he was a child, barely a teenager. His mother is flake, well actually, more accurately she is neglectful. A car accident when he was nearly eighteen made him a paraplegic and destroyed his dreams of signing up to the Navy in order to help him make more money for his siblings. Fast forward about twenty years later, Luke is the CEO of the company that he built and now has his brothers and a couple close friends working for, Invictus Securities. Luke doesn't really date much, a combination of his work and his wheelchair, but for the past year he has been infatuated with Marley, who is the server of his favourite diner.

Marley is also carrying a torch for Luke. However, there is someone out there trying to destroy her life and has taken away everything that has given her life any security. When it is Luke that comes to her rescue and sweeps her off her feet, she discovers that he's not only the right person to help her but that their attraction is mutual.

There is plenty of action and danger. But I love how Marley and Luke bring their lives together and explore each other beyond the attraction that has been bubbling at the surface for the past year. They are wonderful together and everything about them hit me in the feels. Can't wait for more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Candace Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ Spoilers ✨

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞/𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫:

Unfounded: Invictus Securities - Angela Rush

𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠:

⭐⭐⭐⭐.✨/5

𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬:

- Luke Robertson
- Marley Morrison

𝐐𝐮𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬:

"I’m falling in love with you, and I don’t want to ever let you go.”

"Fate has taken over, and I’m just along for the ride."

"I don’t know how I’ve lived my life without you all these years. Now that I’ve found you, I need you more than air.”

𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬:

Someone is out to destroy Marley. With her bank accounts being drained and accounts being made in her name, She's lost. Luke wants everything Marley has to offer even when it's nothing. He jumps to protect her the instant he knows something is wrong. Can he keep Marley safe or will the world crumble around him.

𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:

Right from the beginning someone tragic happens. I love the disability rep in this book. It was well thought out and written. The sibling bonding was so sweet. They all took such good care of each other and the banter between them was great. Luke was such a sweet and protective guy. He really wanted to make sure that his woman was safe at all times. I enjoyed him as a character tremendously. Marley was so so sweet and I wanted her to have the world, and with Luke that's what she was going to get. I loved getting Kristen's pov it made the storyline so much more interesting. I really enjoyed this book and I can't wait to read about the rest of the brothers.

𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:

• Disability rep
• He falls hard
• Protective mmc
• Suspense

𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞:

🌶️🌶️🌶️/5.

[LeQuetia Hollis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book. It was so cute how Luke and Marley crushed on one another for so long but neither one was sure on what to do about it and when. It unfortunately took some terrible circumstances to break Luke out of this hesitation and I was so happy for them both when he finally did. He was such a great guy with so much to offer and it was encouraging to see how someone whose like was changed by a tragic accident at a young age was in turn able to pivot and make the best of it to realize their dream a different way. Such a great start to the series and I look forward to reading more about this group.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[BecReadReview · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this was like fishing, like the regular pull & letting go of the line. Everytime you think ok they have got this, another twist awaits. You think they finally figured it out & comes another twist. So much intense development of the relationship between Marley & Luke was dedicated to the storyline as well as his brothers which was fun to discover. You can understand how security experts can miss things when they are too close to what's happening. Romance, chemistry, love, family & suspense will have you entertained.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marley is a waitress who is having mysterious things happening to her. Bank accounts being drained, loosing her job, and her apartment. Out of no where the man she crushes on who comes to the diner with his brothers offers his help. Luke, who is in a wheelchair, has had his eyes on Marley for weeks but has been holding back from asking Marley out until he finds her after work crying. That makes him snap out of it and offers to help.
Along with his brothers they use there security comany to help. Little did they know the danger it would put them all in. Great book with suspense, danger, love, and HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderfully refreshing story! Marley and Luke have been interested in each other but neither of them made a move. Luke is in a wheelchair due to an accident and now runs a security firm with his brothers. Marley has been having strange things happening to her and she can't explain it. When Luke finds her crying, he knows he needs to step up and help while also telling her his feelings for her. It was interesting to see the twists and turns the story took because just when you think you have it figured out, you don't! Ms. Rush did a fantastic job with this book and I can't wait for more.

[Rhonda Howell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luke owns a security company and has been in love with Marley from afar since the first time he wheeled into the bar where she is a waitress. Marley has been in love with Luke from afar as well but not approached him. One night whikenshe is crying he approaches her and they share their feelings and he discovers strange things have been happening to her. He vows to protect her at all costs and find out what is going on. This was an interesting start to a new series and new author to me. Will be checking out the next book in the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jean M · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story that had me on tenterhooks. Just when I thought they were going to get their HEA it all went pear shaped! There were twists and turns throughout the whole book which kept it interesting.
Marley and Luke are soulmates and their characters are very likeable despite Luke being a definite alpha male.
His brothers help keep humour in the story which helps keep the book from too heavy.
I definitely recommend this book it has everything in a romantic thriller.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Heather Wray · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new to me author with this new series about a family run security firm.
I really enjoyed this book. I liked that Luke never let things hold him back except his infatuation for Marley. His brothers were funny and lent a bit of levity to the story. The two main females were strong, and capable, which was a good change from the often portrayed I’m weak, and useless ones.
If you love a family with drama, action and twist, with a bit of an outcome you don’t expect (could involve a character to watch out for) then this good long read is one you should love.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent start to the series. Loved Luke and Marley's story. He has been interested in her so he the first time he saw her at a bistro she works at as a waitress. But when she becomes a target, he and his brothers will do whatever it takes to protect her. There's plenty of action, suspense, danger and heat. Can't wait for Bo and Shelby's book. HEA. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first in a series, as well as the first time I have read any of this authors work, but I will certainly be looking out for her work in the future.
This is a well written story which is action packed, with family, friendships, mystery, danger, suspense, intrigue, twists, romance, emotions, undeniable chemistry, and love, which leads to an entertaining and steamy page turner.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cherie Alvaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love finding a new author and reading something that has me glued to my seat and wanting more. I loved reading Luke and Marelys story!!! Invictus Securities series promises to be a fantastic read if book one is anything to go by. Talk about nail biting intrigue that had me glued to my seat reading way into the night!!! If you like romance/suspense you will LOVE this!!!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good but just way too long!

This definitely was a good read but it too way to long to get to the angst. Marley was definitely a trooper and I loved how independent Luke was. I just think some things could have been taken out. The story could have been told in in less pages and time. Some things were just repetitive and that grated on my nerves as it added unnecessary length to the story.

[JM G · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book!! Luke and Marley are wonderful characters that I was cheering on. The storyline is so enjoyable I had a hard time putting the book down. A wonderful start to a new series. I look forward to reading more.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marley and Luke’s story is an HEA standalone but also part of a series. It was good to read this one and get a great story out of it while getting a lay of the land for the series. I’m now looking forward to reading the rest.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Laureen Loves Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is super long but stick with it you won't be sorry.

Angela Rush is a hidden gem who writes in a way that reads like she can genuinely hear the internal monologue of her characters. If you loved Daisy's book and couldn't wait for the ride that would take you to her brother Luke's HEA this right here is everything you've been waiting for. Looking forward to Bo's book next.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Marleynis sweet and badly in need of help. Luke is strong and smart and compassionate. There's a lot of action and suspense in this story. Luke's brothers and his sister are interesting crucial to the story, so is Marley's friends and her mom. 3.5 stars for an in depth story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[MASKED.DADDY.MOMMA · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story between Luke and Marley is so cute. He this the tough guy and she just melts him. Marley goes through alot in this book and has over come alot. The love between them is so real. Such a cute romance read. It does have some heavy stuff in it as well.

[Shannon Binegar-Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh gosh this was so intense

This story had me on the best edge of my seat right from the start. I figured out early on who was behind all things happening to Marley but was shocked by more than a few things that unraveled along the way. Beyond excited to read book 2.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful new series

I loved this story, it was very engaging and I love the connections with the family I can’t wait to read more in the series. I want to see the strong women that fit with Luke’s brothers.

[Kristi Malloy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved

Luke runs a security firm and Marley works in a bar. Luke has been wanting to ask Marley out for awhile. Someone starts messing with Marley cleaning out bank accounts and complaining enough she gets fired. Luke comes to the rescue. Loved this story.

[Sherri Lupton Hollister · Rating 5 out of 5]

Attraction Turned to Action

This steamy romance starts out as a friends to lovers relationship, an alpha male who is used to giving orders and an independent woman, but add in suspense and family drama and a little comedy and you have a really fun read!

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed Luke and Marley’s story. It was an intriguing read. And was a new author, for me. Am voluntarily leaving this review.

[Michele Del Rey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this first book in this series. It has all my feelings all over the place. I loved the characters and their great chemistry.

[Mg Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series starter

Action packed fast paced easy to follow spicy plot with likeable character's I look forward to Bo and Shelby's story next