They grew up together, dated for years—but when Lennox had a chance at a college scholarship and a new life, Hailey abruptly ended things. She wanted him to have the life he deserved, and with her track record knew she’d just bring him down. Now they’re both grown and she runs the new branch of Redemption Harbor Consulting, heading up their security division. But her past is about to collide with her present in a big way, and she can’t outrun her demons any longer.
This time, he’s playing for keeps…
Years ago Hailey joined the military and ruthlessly cut all her foster siblings out her life. Now that one of them is in danger she’s back—and Lennox isn’t letting her push him away ever again. One of their own has been kidnapped and with the clock ticking, they have no choice but to work together to find him before it’s too late. But the threat is much worse than they imagined. It will take all their combined skills—and breaking through Hailey’s walls— to unravel the clues in time to save him.
Katie Reus® is the USA Today bestselling author of the Endgame trilogy, the MacArthur Family series and the Deadly Ops series. She fell in love with romance at a young age thanks to books she pilfered from her mom's stash. Years later she loves reading romance almost as much as she loves writing it. However, she didn't always know she wanted to be a writer. After changing majors many times, she finally graduated with a degree in psychology. Not long after that she discovered a new love. Writing. She now spends her days writing paranormal romance and sexy romantic suspense.
Fighting for Hailey by Katie Reus Redemption Harbor Security series #1. Contemporary romantic suspense. Spin off from Red Stone Security, and the Redemption Harbor series. Those do not need to be read prior to this series as much as it’s a basis for the format. Second chance troupe. Hailey dropped into Easton’s condo to see if she can find detail about what he’s been working on recently. She trips an alarm and Jesse shows up in the condo as well as a third person in a mask that Hailey quickly takes down with bear spray. Easton has been kidnapped and Jessie, Cash, Hailey and her team from Redemption Harbor Security are working around the clock searching for clues to rescue Easton before he’s killed.
Ten years ago, Hailey was afraid she would drag her foster friends down. They were all so smart and had so much potential. So Hailey ran to give them room to grow, even though she and Jessie were more than friends. Now that she’s back, Jessie is going to make sure she never runs again.
75% suspense and intrigue as the group try to find out who kidnapped Easton. 25% revisiting the past friendships via letters the group wrote to Hailey while she was in the service with how much they missed her and cared and wish the best for her. Plus current day romance and relationship building between Hailey and Jesse, and also Cash and Reese while they all work the case.
It’s smart, intriguing, with steamy parts and friendships reaffirmed. An awesome adventure.
Hailey had had a rough youth but with Jesse, Cash and Easton, she found not only a place to belong, but love as well. Unfortunately, things change and she is faced with a decision that rips her from what she has. My heart hurt when I learned everything that brought her to that decision.
Jesse was wonderful. I loved how protective he was over Haley and his determination to not lose her again. She had wrecked him when she left and I could feel his emotion across the page as past memories are revealed as well as fear at the thought of her leaving again.
This was a great read. The characters are all relatable and feel real. I loved the interaction between them all. The glimpse of letters sent to one another was sweet and endeared me to each and everyone of them. I’m excited for the next installment!
I loved Hailey and Jesse! Jesse was obsessed with Hailey and very protective, which I like to see in a hero. He could have made things hard on her for bailing when she was younger but all he cared about was getting her back. I really enjoyed Hailey and Cash’s relationship. As foster siblings, they truly acted like blood siblings. And Easton just seems like a sweetheart. I hope to see more of him in this series. This book set up the next with Cash’s interest in Reese and I’m intrigued. I already like how Cash is chasing her.
You couldn't help but love Hailey and Jesse! They have gone through so much in their young life. A group of friends who stuck together to be there for each other.
Years later, Hailey left Jesse and the group due to several reasons that she thought was to protect Jesse. When they reconnect, the 9 years doesn't make an impact on the devotion that Jesse has and strives that Hailey won't leave him again. What a man! He is so protective and obsessive. Hailey eventually realises she loves him and doesn't want to leave again.
Alongside this, the story is a thriller, a chase to help their friend who has been kidnapped. I felt that in the end, the story got bogged down with all the messy details about the kidnapping.
I'm not sure if I will read the rest of the series.
What I found interesting about this one was the connection between Hailey and the guys. You could tell that they were close as kids, each other's life lines, but something bad must have broken them apart. Each of them had huge holes in their lives when Hailey ghosted the guys, including Hailey. I loved that they found out Hailey was in the service and sent her care packages, along with letters. She needed that, even if they didn't get that back. Yet Hailey jumped to help when she realized one of the guys was in trouble, which led to her having to be around the other 2. Lots of past hurts got fixed and Jesse finally found out why Hailey left, which was heartbreaking. In the end, it's great they all are together, but especially that Jesse and Hailey are a couple and happy.
So, I was truly surprised when I started this book because I’m going to be totally honest with you, when I hear Katie Reus is releasing a new book, I don’t bother reading too much about it, I just assume I’m going to want it. That said based on the design of the cover I thought this was another book in the Red Stone Security series or one of the connected ones, so I was so thrilled to learn it was a spinoff of one of my favorite of her past series and that I would be getting to see some of my favorite characters again! So, all of that meant that I enjoyed this new addition to the Redemption Harbor series with their new group of folks and their quirky way of looking at the world in shades of gray and I cannot wait for more in the series. Katie’s ability to take characters with tragic and sometimes terrifyingly backstories and make them into such strong and heroic individuals is beyond amazing and a skill that never ceases to amaze me.
Hailey West gave up her found family when she ran from them as a young woman though she never stopped loving them and when one of her brothers is kidnapped right off the street she will do anything to get him back safely, but she knows it will bring her face-to-face with the others. Jesse Lennox never imagined that when he went looking for his kidnapped brother he’d find the love of his life—the woman that walked out on all of them years ago and seemed to have never looked back. But now that he has her in his hands, Jesse is not going to let Hailey out of his sight ever again. While working with the authorities and her team to find their brother, Jesse and Hailey quickly come to realize that their feelings have never died and the passion between them still burns brightly. But can they get over not only the heartbreak of Hailey leaving but also the reasons that she left in the first place in order for Jesse to finally claim the woman who stole his heart at sixteen and never gave it back. It will take ever thing they have to save their brother and get over their hang-ups but Jesse will do whatever it takes and he will never stop Fighting for Hailey.
These two are one of those odd couples that you can see why they were pulled together, because opposites truly do attract sometimes and Jesse’s solemn nature and Hailey’s irreverence are just made to mesh together like puzzle pieces. I loved getting to know Hailey, not only seeing her with the brothers of her youth and Jesse as they found their groove together again, but also with her new Redemption Harbor family. She has so many issues from her past, but while she obviously allowed them to stop her in her relationships she didn’t let it stop her from becoming a serious badass wit ha little bit of a crazy streak. She is sassy, outlandish, loving, strong, plucky, and determined and willing to do anything in order to get her brother back. She is also willing to do just about anything to protect the man she loves, even stupid things that hurt her, if she thinks they are in his best interests. I could see myself really enjoying having Hailey as a drinking bud, as long as I didn’t let her lead me into too many crazy escapades. Jesse on the other hand has spent the majority of his life trying to find calm in the chaos and he only seems to truly find it when he is protecting and caring for those he loves, including the woman that actually creates the most chaos for him. He devotes so much of his time, money, and skill to helping those that can benefit from all three because he understands what it means to be in need of help and that makes him a truly great man in my book. He is sweet, loving, smart, courageous, funny, and strong and obviously the strength of their found family. I loved seeing him as he found so hard to make Hailey see that she belonged with him and should never have left, but more I loved seeing him allow her to come to terms with her mistakes and how he helped her see the flaws in her reasoning.
Fighting for Hailey is one of those books that will stick with me for a long time simply because it has it all, humor, passion, action, love, and intrigue all wrapped up beautifully in a storyline that is totally believable in the evil of today’s society. I was so happy to get to see these two lovers get their second chance at love and family and look forward to seeing more of them in the rest of the series, especially the nest novel which looks to be a doozy. Hailey is one of those women that truly flies by the seat of her pants and manages to come of smelling like daisies more often than not and I envy that about her. She has loved and lost, but she knows that when she gets a second chance with Jesse she can’t pass it up, especially when he doesn’t really give her the chance to walk away. Jesse is the kind of guy that will give up the shirt off his back for someone in need, but the ones thing he is unwilling to give up again is Hailey and I loved watching him give his all for her. As these two work through their issues, building trust again and reestablishing their deep love, they managed to kick butt and take down a huge criminal ring and still rescue their brother so really what more can you ask for in the end. The passion between these two former lovers explodes off the screen from the very first second these two enter one another’s orbit again, like a firebomb being fed oxygen and I don’t see that dying anytime soon. I am dying for the next story because the heat and interest between Cash and Reese was palpable through their every interaction and I cannot wait to see what finally pushes that to the breaking point in their book. Katie manages to always find the heart and heat we all want to have in our own lives and allow us to enjoy a small piece for ourselves through her writing and Fighting for Hailey is just one more example of that flair.
When her foster brother is kidnapped, she has to face her past in order to save him.
Hailey heads up Redemption Harbor Security, a group whose focus is on helping out desperate people who have been failed by the system. After her years in the military, she is a well trained and highly effective operative…and she will need all of her skills when one of her foster brothers Easton is kidnapped. Easton is a brilliant scientist who is working on cures for both ALS and Alzheimer’s, not exactly someone who would be an obvious candidate for kidnapping. Hailey hasn’t seen Easton in years, although she had agreed to meet him for lunch the day he disappeared. She backed out at the last minute, and now is second guessing herself…surely if she had been with him, she could have prevented his capture? To say that her relationship with Easton and her other two foster brothers, Jessie and Cash, is complicated is an understatement. They all had messed up childhoods, and had bounced around in foster homes for years until coming together in their teens and forming a true family. More than that, Hailey and Jesse had fallen in love. Determined not to stand in Jesse’s way when he received a college scholarship, Hailey cut off ties with all three of her “brothers” and enlisted in the military. But even though she has kept herself cut off from them, she still loves and misses them…and has never gotten over Jesse. Now, with Easton’s life in danger, Hailey has returned and must work with Jesse and Cash in order to save the brother they all love. With the help of two of her team members, Reese and Elijah, as well as federal law enforcement, they will do whatever it takes to find out who snatched Easton and why, and to get him to safety. Hailey is highly skilled and extremely good at her job, but emotionally she is basically a screwed up mess. She cut herself off from the family she had formed so that the boy she loved wouldn’t be held back. Jesse has gone on to create a series of apps that have made him incredibly wealthy, and he has made it a point to use that money to fund meaningful research including the projects on which Easton is working. But he hasn’t gotten over his love for Hailey, and is determined that this time she won’t be walking away from him. Cash, the fourth “sibling”, has also found his way to financial success, and finds himself intrigued by Hailey’s co=worker Reese. Together, they pool their talents, resources and contacts to find out who took Easton and why, and don’t let the mistakes of the past or the dangers in the present get in their way. The plot moves quickly, the characters are well thought out and enjoyable to read. Readers of authors like Rebecca Zanetti, Kat Martin and Heather Graham should give Fighting for Hailey a try, and readers of Katie Reus’ previous titles (including those in the Redemption Harbor series, of which this is a spin-off) will not be disappointed. Thank you to NetGalley and KR Press for allowing me access to an advanced reader’s copy of this novel of romantic suspense.
De esta tanda de libros que he leído en 2024, en un reto veraniego, éste tuvo el comienzo más prometedor. Hailey West (28) allana el apartamento de su hermano adoptivo, de manera espectacular, para conseguir pistas que la lleven a descubrir quién lo ha secuestrado. Se encontrará con un guaperas que la encañona: Jesse Lennox (28). Es otro hermano adoptivo. También él quiere rescatar al secuestrado. Entre ellos saltan chispas, porque se amaron de jóvenes y luego ella desapareció. Qué intriga, qué pasión ❤️🔥 Mientras investigan el secuestro, lo suyo se reaviva. El suspense es entretenido, en una trama algo caótica que al final ni ellos mismos entienden del todo, pero bueno, está ahí para darle vidilla al asunto. Reseña algo más extensa, en mi blog.
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book
they grew up in foster care each looking out for each other but hailey left them all behind and joined the marines never getting in contact with her foster family but now one of them has been kidnapped and hailey isnt leaving it to the fbi to find him...
hailey works for redemption harbor security and this is her job, what she didnt expect was to find jesse pointing a gun at her whilst she was scouting eastons flat looking for clues to why he had been kidnapped
history was about to come calling, could she reveal why she hadnt stayed in contact with her foster brothers ghosting them for years but still stalking them from the sidelines keeping tabs
interesting read that kept me glued and entertained at the same time
#6 book for my Summer Romance Reading Challenges 2024
what I liked: The friendship: The bond between Hailey, Jesse, Cash, and Easton is heartwarming. Their deep connection and loyalty shine through, making their interactions truly special. ❤️ The love story: The romance is woven seamlessly into the thrilling and action-packed plot, creating a compelling and dynamic love story that keeps you hooked. The kickass heroine: Hailey isn’t just a strong character in the emotional sense; she’s also a badass who can handle herself in a fight.
If you're looking for action-packed romance and a heartwarming reunion of old friends, this book is for you.
The story kicks off right during the action. Hailey, an agent with Redemption Harbor Consulting, breaks into the apartment of her foster brother, Easton, searching for clues about his kidnapping. Although she had cut ties with her foster siblings for the past 10 years, she didn't hesitate to spring into action to rescue him. During this mission, Hailey unexpectedly encounters another figure from her past—Jesse, her former love
The plot is well-balanced and satisfies both the romantic and suspenseful aspects. Honestly, I didn't think I'd be into this genre, but thanks to the challenge I've accepted, I'm discovering more and more intriguing subgenres.
There are a lot of POVs, and I didn't expect so many characters to have their chapters. But considering the genre, it was a good choice. Not only does this approach draw the reader into the sweet scenes. The letters exchanged while Hailey was away, for example, add a touching layer, showing how much her friends missed her and kept her in their thoughts. Every time I read these chapters, I melted.
I loved all the characters in this story, especially Hailey, and that's saying something because female protagonists usually don't impress me much. The relationship between Hailey and Jesse was adorable. Not to mention Jesse's POVs, where he's utterly obsessed with her to the point of keeping tabs on her like a stalker. Of course, he's rich and head over heels for just one woman, so it seems fair to spend his money tracking her since she disappeared. One thing I appreciated was that both Hailey and Jesse remained loyal to their partners, and he waited patiently for her to make the first move to reconnect. Jesse, I have no words for you, just lots of love. I adored how the drama between them was resolved, with a little help from others, allowing them to open up to each other once more.
I also loved the sibling-like bond between Hailey and Cash. Their interactions felt so genuine as if they were truly blood siblings. Cash is an absolute sweetheart who, besides being a great cook (a solid 10 points), is the sunshine of the group. Although Easton was a minor character, in the few appearances he made, he came across as a kind person who truly cared about Hailey and their foster siblings. I loved the way he contributed to keeping the relationship between Hailey and Jesse alive. He's the typical sweet guy who knows just when to spice things up. The final part of the story unfolded beautifully, thanks to him. Thank you for being there, Easton.
The subplot lays the foundation for the next book, which will involve Cash and Reese. In this volume, I absolutely loved Cash and his personality, and Reese as well. Together, they have shown themselves to be two people who, through playful banter, could develop their relationship into something deeper
Overall, Fighting for Hailey is a thrilling, emotional rollercoaster with fantastic characters and a perfect blend of action and heartfelt moments. It’s easily one of my favorite reads of the year, and I couldn't find a single flaw in this book.
I am thrilled I picked this book up. I love a good intrigue, suspense story.
Hailey has not had it easy in her life. Her youth was rough, and with her found family Cash, Easton, and Jesse, they made it work. But one of them is in trouble, and Hailey feels she brought the trouble.
Jesse is protective of Hailey. He lost her once, and he plans not to let it happen again. I love their relationship. There are letters that help to enhance the story and share what these people mean to each other.
Thank you to NetGalley and KR Press, LLC for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
Fighting for Hailey is a new spin off from the Redemption Harbor series and is not to be missed❣️
Hailey ends up in DC on a job, but stays when one of her foster brothers ends up being kidnapped. She ran from her life a decade ago, joined the military and cut out her foster brothers, one of which was the love of her life, Jesse. Now, that she’s back, Jesse is determined to keep her in his life and not allow her to run from him again, but first they have to find their foster brother😳
A fast paced story that I really enjoyed with a cameo from some of our favourite redemption characters and some secondary characters that I can see heaps of stories for in the future…I for one, am excited to see where this series goes….bring on Reese next🤩
I received an advanced copy and voluntarily leave my honest review❤️
This is a suspenseful beginning to a new series. It introduces a found family who met as teenagers in foster care. Hailey has been estranged from her 3 brothers of the heart since she ran away to join the Marines at 18. She is reunited with her one true love, Jesse, when their brother Easton is kidnapped. The book alternates between the search to find Easton and Hailey's and Jesse's second chance with each other.
*Cette chronique est basée sur un NetGalley ARC en échange d'un avis neutre et honnête*
Le premier tome d'une série de romance à suspense que j'ai dévoré
Quand j'ai su qu'il y allait avoir un spin-off de la série Redemption Harbor, j'étais ravie ! J'avais adoré le côté Robin des Bois de l'agence de militaires badass et c'est cette même ambiance qu'on a ici =)
Ce que j'ai particulièrement aimé :
- l'intrigue qui était passionnante ! J'ai adoré tout le mystère autour du kidnapping d'Easton ! Qui l'a kidnappé ?? Pourquoi ??
- les personnages que j'ai adoré ! Tous des badass mais attachants et avec de l'humour =) Et c'était tellement bien de revoir des anciens personnages =D
- la romance qui était A TOMBER ! J'adore les romances de la seconde chance et les meilleurs amis adolescents puis amants qui se retrouvent des années après s'être séparé à cause d'un secret ... J'ai adoré les voir se retrouver =) (mention spéciale pour les aperçus des lettres envoyées =D)
J'ai hyper hâte de lire le prochain tome, notamment avec Reese et probablement Cash =D
Bref, une romance à suspense qui se lit avec grand plaisir et qui marque le début d'une nouvelle série qui promet beaucoup =)
PS : to the publisher and Netgalley, thank you so much for the ARC =D
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*This review is based on a NetGalley ARC in exchange for a neutral and honest opinion*
The first book in a suspense romance series that I devoured
When I found out that there was going to be a spin-off of the Redemption Harbor series, I was SO happy ! I loved the Robin Hood side of the badass military agency and it's that same atmosphere that we have here =)
What I particularly liked :
- the plot which was fascinating ! I loved the whole mystery surrounding Easton's kidnapping ! Who kidnapped him ?? For what ??
- the characters that I loved ! All badasses but endearing and with humor =) And it was so good to see old characters again =D
- the romance that was TO DIE FOR ! I love second chance romances and teenage best friends then lovers who reunite years after being separated because of a secret ... I loved seeing them get back together =) (special mention for the excerpts of old letters sent =D)
I can't wait to read the next book , especially with Reese and probably Cash =D
In short, a suspense romance that can be read with great pleasure and which marks the start of a new series that promises a lot =)
PS: to the publisher and Netgalley, thank you so much for the ARC =D
Hailey is looking for her missing foster brother, Easton. When she breaks into his apartment looking for clues to his disappearance, she doesn't expect to come face to face with the only man she's ever loved Jesse. They were in love as teenagers until Hailey suddenly joined the military and never talked to him again. He never knew why she ran but now that she's back he has no intention of letting her go. She's the only woman he's ever loved, and he'll do whatever it takes to make her his forever.
Hailey has a job she loves working for a security company. She and her team help people every day who need help but have nowhere to turn. I like that Hailey is committed to helping others and works well with her team. She's smart and driven and kind. Jesse has succeeded beyond his wildest dreams and now he is able to commit a lot of time and money to helping others. I like that he loves his foster brothers and that they have created a strong family unit. There is a large group of side characters that add to the overall story and a relationship is introduced between two of them that I assume will be explored in a future story. One of the most interesting relationships in the story is Hailey and Easton. The author mentions a few times that they stayed in touch during the years that Hailey was away but Easton didn't let Jesse or Cash. I would have liked a little more exploration of their relationship but the book wasn't focused on them so it makes sense it wasn't included.
I thought the bad guy was kind of a weak spot. The actions and motivations weren't really believable. Once the full story of why and how the bad guy was doing what they were doing was revealed I thought it was better but it wasn't the strongest aspect of the story. I also questioned some of Hailey's actions with Jesse. She kept crawling in his lap and acting like a needy girl when she was supposed to be strong and capable. I just thought it was odd.
This is a contemporary found family, security team, kidnapping, second chance romance set primarily in the Washington DC area. The main characters are both successful adults with careers. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a fast paced mystery with a big romance. I will read more from this author in the future.
This is book one in The Redemption Harbor Security Series and it is Jesse and Hailey’s story and omg what a great start to a new series and it is definitely a must read. Jesse and Hailey have history as they grew up together and dated each other and thought that they had a future together only for Hailey to end there relationship leaving Jesse upset because he didn’t know what happened but he needed to move forward and hope that one day he would get a second chance. Present day and Hailey works for Redemption Harbor Consulting Security Division after coming out of the military but now one of her foster brothers had been kidnapped and she needed to help find him buy looking for information only the one person that she wasn’t expecting stood right in front of her. Jesse was at Easton’s place as the cameras were glitching so imagine his surprise when he confronted the person only to be shocked and taken back by it being Hailey the only woman that he ever loved is standing right in front of him. Jesse, Hailey and a group of friends all come together so that they can find Easton as quickly as possible as he had been kidnapped because of his scientific research and his excellent brain but unfortunately the team are coming up with one false alarm after the other and time is starting to run out and then they catch the break that they needed so they all come together and go for it hoping that they get to him quickly and find him safe. Jesse and Hailey never stopped loving each other and the attraction, chemistry and connection is still as strong and off the charts hot and you can feel it sizzling off the pages but Jesse needs to know why Hailey left like she did and her explanation will break your heart. Wow this book takes you on a emotional journey and has so many twists and turns that it will have you on the edge of your seat while holding your breath with all the action and the story will pull you in right from the first page and keep your attention throughout the whole book and I read it in one sitting until the early hours of the morning because it was so addictive that I couldn’t put it down. I can’t wait to read the next book in this amazing series.
FIGHTING FOR HAILEY is the first instalment in Katie Reus’ contemporary, adult REDEMPTION HARBOR SECURITY romantic suspense series-a spin off from the author’s REDEMPTION HARBOR series. This is Redemption Harbor operative Hailey West, and billionaire businessman Jesse Lennox’s story line.
Told from dual omniscient third person perspectives (Jesse and Hailey) FIGHTING FOR HAILEY follows the second chance relationship between our story line couple. Hailey West grew up in the foster care system, and considered Jesse Lennox, Constantine ‘Cash’ Pierce, and Easton Reed family and friends but when Easton Reed goes missing, Hailey working as an operative for Redemption Harbor, is determined to uncover the truth, coming face to face with her past in the guise of Jesse Lennox. Jesse is also worried about the apparent kidnapping of their friend, their brother Easton, a world renowned scientist on the cusp of medical history. With the help of Cash Pierce, and some of the agents at Redemption Harbor, Jesse and Hailey begin an investigation of their own, only to discover a convoluted path of money and politicians hoping to make a score. What ensues is the rebuilding romance and relationship between Jesse and Hailey, as they hunt for the people who took their friend.
The world building focuses on the search for Easton Reed, and the history between our story line couple. Jesse and Hailey were once a couple but life, fear and the future took each of them in different directions, and Hailey would eventually ghost them all.
The relationship between Hailey and Jesse is one of second chances but Hailey is afraid to reveal the truth about the past, a past she was hoping to forget. Enlisting in the military, Hailey did her time, as the three men in her life, struggled to make sense of why she ran. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
We are introduced to the new team and operatives for Redemption Harbor Security including Cash Pierce, Easton Reed, Hailey’s friend and fellow agent Reese, and Elijah. Reese and Cash’s story line is next.
FIGHTING FOR HAILEY is a story of second chances, power and control, betrayal and vengeance, secrets and lies, family, friendships, relationships and love. The fast paced premise is intriguing and captivating; the romance is seductive; the characters are determined, engaging, dynamic and inventive.
This is such a great romantic suspense second chance story! Jessie Lennox was such a steadfast friend and will do anything to find his friend Easton. Hailey is such a fierce dynamo who fights her magnetic chemistry with Jessie, while determined to find her foster brother Easton. I loved watching Hailey & Jessie work as a team to put the pieces together to find their kidnapped foster brother. The bond between these four foster siblings is tight and heartwarming. And as much as Hailey tried to not open her heart to Jessie again, their intrinsic magnetism was undeniable. I also loved seeing old friends from the beginning of Redemption Harbor help out their rescue.
Hailey West is head of the new Redemption Harbor Security, an offshoot of Redemption Harbor. Skye Arevalo-Stuart recruited her after she left the military. She found family as a teen in her foster brothers Jessie Lennox, Cash Pierce and Easton Reed. After high school she joined the military unexpectedly, running from those who loved her. Her brothers never knew why and she went radio silent. Skye has a talent for running away from emotional difficulties instead of facing them and working things out. Jessie wouldn't let her go again as he never quit loving her after she left. When Hailey finds out Eason has been kidnapped she immediately goes into action to find him. She brings her core teammates with her, Reese and Elijah. Jessie and Cash are on the hunt as well and they join forces to find their friend. Since Jessie and Cash are millionaires they have the resources to get things done. Watching these old friends interact was entertaining. There's hot chemistry between Hailey & Jessie. The banter between Hailey & Cash was at times hilarious. Cash definitely has his sights set on Reece which will be the next book in this new series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Hailey loves working at the new Redemption Harbor Security. She works with a great group of people - some she served with, she gets to play with her tech and she's doing a worthwhile job. She feels she is in deep neep of a bit of redemption herself. She left Jesse, Cash and Easton behind when she joined the Marines. Two, were the men who were her brothers in all bit blood and the other - well he was everything to her. But a lifetime of never feeling enough for anyone to stick around for, Hailey left before he could leave her.
But when Easton is kidnapped for that big brain of his, she wrangles her team and is determined to find her friend. She'll just have to pull up his big girl panties and deal with the consequences of being in Jesse's orbit again.
Jesse never got over Hailey leaving him. He's pretty much measured everyone against her and found them all lacking. He kept trying to reach out to her and she never responded but he never gave up on her or them. With Easton abducted he and Cash will leave no stone overturned to find him. But with Hailey and part of her team, Reese and Elijah, helping out he has no intention of lettering Hailey disappear again.
Hailey is such a mixed-up, emotionally fragile characters. She is great of her job, brilliant team leader nit a hot mess in her personal life. Jesse is just as smart with tech as her but he's using all that cash he now has for a worthwhile cause. Easton is the smart and slightly clueless mad inventor, and Cash is the mouthy, crass but lovable rogue. This foursome could take on the world and win when they work together.
Jesse and Hailey may go from 0 - 100 mph in the book but their time apart really was just a pause on the always intense relationship they had. The flames rekindle and burn brightly. I love a man who knows what he wants and is willing to uproot himself for those he loves.
Really looking forward to seeing how Cash fairs against the force of nature!
Once upon a time Hailey, Jesse, Cash and Easton had been foster kids together, making their own family with a little something extra between Hailey and Jesse until the day something happened, and she left to enlist in the marines cutting the boys out of her life completely. They never accepted this writing and sending care packages no matter where she was even if she never responded. Until the day Easton was kidnapped and Hailey, now working in private security is soon on the case to track him down reuniting her with Jesse and Cash in the process.
The first book in the Redemption Harbor Security series from Katie Reus and this book has shot straight to the top of my favourite reads from this author. With previous books, while I loved them, I always thought the the suspense element of the story was a bit rushed and almost an afterthought to the romance but in Fighting for Hailey the balance was spot on for me with the gripping, fast paced plot involving abduction, money laundering and pharmaceutical research playing an integral part in the overall book as Hailey and Jesse reunite to find Easton before it’s too late and rekindle their romance along the way. There is some angst relating to Hailey’s reasons for leaving Jesse but nothing too overly heavy and a few instances that tugged my heartstrings involving the letters the boys sent to Hailey where the pain of their friend abandoning them easily came through despite the joking tone of writing. Adding another touch of levity was the budding one-sided romance between Cash and Reese. Cash is obviously a “faint heart never won fair lady” type of guy as I’m sure the object of his affections is about to find out in the next book and if this one was anything to go by, I can’t wait.
Redemption Harbor Security Series is a spin-off/kind of continuation of the Redemption Harbor series by Katie Reus. Which means that even though we get a whole new bunch of characters, we still get to see some of the Redemption Harbor characters. Mainly Skye, since she is the leader, and Olivia and her daughter are mentioned but not named. Hailey and her friends work for Skye, but to be truthful, I don't remember them being mentioned. The new characters are interesting as well and have their own bright personalities.
Hailey and Jesse were in a relationship when they were teenagers but for reasons unknown to Jesse, she broke up with him and left not only him but Easton and Cash, who were their foster brothers. I like that we got to see some of the letters the guys sent her over the years and in my humble opinion it added to the story. I don't recall Hailey saying explicitly that she didn't date anyone in the years she and Jesse were apart, but I love that Jesse ended up clarifying that for him it was only her. Katie Reus doesn't usually disappoint with her second chance books and she kept her streak with this one. While there is some tension between our two main characters, there isn't a big conflict and I liked that. The story is told mainly from their point of view but we get some brief glimpses of some other characters as well, like the villain for example, as it's something Katie Reus does.
Overall, the book is a well-executed story as the first book in a series and having read the rest of the books in the series (as of August of 2025), I have to say that this is another winner for the author. I am not a big fan of the third book, we will see if that will change on my re-read.
A cute book by an author who always delivers, Fighting for Hailey is more second-chance romance than suspense. Yes, there are a few moments of peril, but it never quite gets the heart pounding.
This book is the start of a spinoff series (Redemption Harbor), and while it can be read just fine as a standalone, there are several crossovers from and references to that original series. I've read a ton of Reus but not Redemption Harbor, but I didn't have problems following.
So among the tropes, in addition to second chances and suspense, we've got the not-good-enough-for-you, found family, and former foster siblings thing going on. Every so often, a chapter features letters the three guys sent to Hailey when she was serving overseas, and it's a sweet glimpse into how much faith they have in her.
What I did find a little off was that Jesse never went to see her after she returned to the States and started working for the security company. What was he waiting for? Clearly, he hadn't given up. Further, Hailey's reasons for leaving nearly a decade before aren't new or original, even the extra bit she carried. I was hoping for maybe a little more there.
But they were all adorable characters who were easy to root for. And I'm very interested in Cash. Jesse is a great hero, but I suspect Cash will be even better since he seems more complex.
I received an ARC of this book for free from the publisher and Netgalley. I'm writing this review voluntarily, and it reflects my honest opinion. Thanks!
This was a great start of a new series, if you love suspenseThis is a spin off from the Redemption Harbor series and while this can totally be read as a stand alone, you'd miss out on some good books by this fabulous author, so I highly recommend reading them. It was great to see some of the characters from RH.
Hailey grew up in foster care, she went from one family to another but found a home and a loving family at one of the foster homes in the form of three guys: Jesse, Cash and Easton. She had a special bond with Jesse, they fell in love and were always together. But when Jesse got a great opportunity to make something of his life, Hailey broke everything off and joined the Marines. When she got out, she started working for Redemption Harbor Security.
Jesse developed an app for military vets to make the adaption to civil life easier. He made a fortune and has always kept in contact with Cash and Easton. He never stopped loving Hailey, and when they found out she joined the marines, Jesse and the guys started sending her letters and care packages. Unfortunately Hailey never answered.
When Easton is kidnapped, Hailey returns and meets Jesse again. Both are still love with the other, and Jesse swears this time he won't let her go. Hailey however is keeping a secret and is afraid that once he finds out, he'll never want her. with a lot of romance thrown in, then this is your book. I can hardly wait for the next of the friends to meet his match.
*I kindly received a copy of this book by Bookfunnel. This is my honest review.*
Thank you so much to Netgalley and KR Press for the E ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
4.5 Stars. This was an excellent start to this spin off series. Hailey used to be in foster care and where she met her found family in Easton, Cash and Jesse. Hailey and Jesse dated, but she felt Jesse was destined for greatness and that she would only hold him back, so she joined the military and pretty much ghosted them. Now Easton has been kidnapped and Hailey will do anything to help rescue him, even if it means working in close proximity with Jesse.
This book has one of my favorite tropes, which is found family and you can tell how strong the love is with Hailey, Jesse, Easton and Cash. I think the book focuses more on Hailey and Jesse's second chance romance instead of the suspense angle, but both are prominent. I was engrossed in the story and finding out what happened with Easton while also rooting for Hailey and Jesse to get together. Also Katie does what she does best and gave us sprinkles of the couple for the next book and I am so pumped. I need Cash and Reeses story like yesterday! Also one of my FAVORITE characters ever was in this book and that automatically added 32493849328 bonus points.
I've read some of Redemption Harbor, but not every book and I could still follow this story fine. Overall, I really enjoyed and now I can't wait for book 2!
Once again, this very talented author delivered a winner in this first book in her new series. When they were teens, four foster kids because a family. One that protected each other. But nine years ago, Hailey unexpectedly left the boys behind, leaving them heartbroken. Especially Jesse Lennox, the boy she loved with all her heart. After leaving the Marines, nowadays, Hailey runs the new offices of Redemption Harbor Consulting, Jesse and Cash are millionaires, and Easton, a scientist. When Easton is kidnapped, they all meet once again determined to find Easton and bring him home. The moment Jesse and Hailey meet after all these years , it’s evident that their chemistry and love never extinguished. As they come across danger in their endeavor, secrets are revealed. In the end , will they be able to find Easton alive? Will Jesse and Hailey finally have their HEA, or will the past and the uncertain future be the end of that special love? This is a story about the family we make. It’s also a story about redemption, overcoming adversity, hope, and second chances in life and love. The plot is engaging and the characters perfect in their imperfections. Also, it’s a story that reminds us that life is not black and white, but rather , shades of gray. Can’t wait to read the next book in the series. I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own