Torn: a Romantic Suspense novel

by Kenzie Macallan

A hidden agenda lurks behind every friendly face, making trust a dangerous gamble.

She saves others to redeem herself from her past mistakes. He must rescue his father before it’s too late. Uncovering the truth could cost them their lives, but love is their only anchor.

Roger Bane, a daring black ops agent, thrives on the adrenaline of working in the shadows. When his ambassador father gets kidnapped during a public event, he’s forced to team up with his security detail, a woman who’s hiding a secret. But as he delves deeper, he realizes the players in this game aren’t who they seem. He’s torn between his attraction to her and uncovering the truth about her past.

Harlow Pierce, a fearless ASIO agent, confronts danger head-on with unyielding determination. When the diplomat she’s sworn to protect disappears, she embarks on a high-stakes mission to rescue him. She’s hoping he has answers about her father’s death. But her plans shatter when she’s forced to work with his son, Roger. Her carefully constructed lies begin to crumble as she battles against their undeniable chemistry.

As Roger and Harlow piece together the intricate puzzle for his father’s release, their growing attraction becomes a dangerous distraction. Harlow struggles with her past and the brutal truth about her father, while Roger battles the deep connection he feels for her. Their fiery passion threatens to consume them even as it becomes their greatest source of strength.

As a deadly conspiracy simmers and a web of deceit threatens to engulf them, can they untangle the lies and trust each other enough to face the ultimate enemy?

TORN is an electrifying addition to the Deep 8 series. If you crave page-turning storylines, scorching romance, and characters who will capture your heart, then Kenzie Macallan’s novel promises an unforgettable journey of love and suspense in the face of danger.

*This novel can be read as a standalone.

302 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 11, 2024

About the author

Kenzie Macallan is an author who has a passion for writing thriller romance filled with suspense and steamy scenes. She dabbles in photography and painting portraits. Creativity flows through her veins.

Being a world traveler adds fuel to her imagination and places to take her characters.

Strong, vulnerable, sassy, and sexy characters are written with a brush of humor.

Check out her new series, Deep 8. WILD is only the beginning. KING, BURN, and RISK are available now.

Coming Soon: TORN, the final book in the Deep 8 series. All will be revealed.

TRUTHS, EDGES, and MASKS are available in the MBK Global Security series.

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Reviews

[➦Paulette & Her Sexy Alphas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buckle up, my friends. This is going to be a bumpy ride."As the puzzle unfolds

We once again dive deeper into the rabbit hole of Deep 8's machination

Roger Bane, his father is the Australian Ambassador to the Uk, and somehow, he has vanished without a trace, plucked from the London docks during a ceremony and hoisted in the air by a helicopter

Roger and his team was tasked by the President of the United States to recover Lucas Bane at any cost

Harlow Pierce, has worked as a Personal assistant to
Lucas Bane, she was assigned to the ambassador to investigate his dealings


The game has just begun, and the stakes
are higher than ever. The world may not know their names, but the fate of nations rests in their hands
This is a deadly game of cat and mouse
This time around all hands-on deck not only is it Roger and his team but it is also MBK Global Security

Lord have mercy there were so many roadblocks on this one, and don’t get me started on the twist and turns ……… But somewhere in between all those Edge of your seat moments and all that Deception upon betrayal upon deception! we got some romance, Some very steamy moments along with some very sweet moments……. And best of all, some very witty banter between everyone

I don’t know about this series anymore, see this Particular author normally closes you off with some kind of cliffhanger to let you know what and who is going to be in the next installment. But the author didn’t do it with this particular book and to make matters worse I notice this author only releases a new installment once a year…… I didn’t think anything of it in the beginning when I first started this series Due to the fact that pretty much all of the previous books were already released this particular installment was released recently….. I’m so invested with each of these characters and I am somewhat fearful that this might be the end of this series

[Intel Chicky Reads Romance (Kara Merideth) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Trope: romantic suspense
Angst: 😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥

Torn started with a bang and never really let up. It had tons of action, suspense, and layers to be revealed. However, I found it almost too fast-paced, making it difficult to connect to the characters. It's solid writing, but just not for me.

[BookAddict · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sparks fly alongside bullets in this hypnotic, breath-taking romantic thriller that takes us on a journey from Edinburg to Luxembourg to Australia in order to eradicate the evil Deep 8 enterprise that threatens the world. Everything in this series has been building up to this exciting,  grand finale!

When Roger Bane's father is kidnapped at a public event, he's tasked by his team to recover his father. His investigation takes him to his father's office and his assistant, Harlow Baird, who is so much more than she appears. They join forces to find Roger's father, who was serving as the ambassador from Australia. In using her special training alongside Roger to follow the clues from the kidnappers, Harlow hopes to finally obtain answers about her father’s death.

Amidst the twists and turns and roadblocks, the witty banter kept this intense, riveting story lively and entertaining. For those who like some thrills in their romance (yes, that kind, but also the other kind) this cautionary tale and epic romance will keep you on the edge of your seat reading late into the night.

[Joy Avery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: ☆☆☆☆ Spice: 🌶🌶🌶

Angst: 💔💔💔

Cliffhanger? ❌️

Do I recommend it? ✔️

Tropes: romantic suspense, thrilling adventures

A hidden agenda lurks behind every friendly face, making trust a dangerous gamble. Harlow Pierce saves others to redeem herself from her past mistakes. She confronts danger head-on with unyielding determination. When the diplomat she’s sworn to protect disappears, she embarks on a high-stakes mission to rescue him. Roger Bane must rescue his father before it’s too late. When his ambassador father gets kidnapped during a public event, he’s forced to team up with his security detail, a woman who’s hiding a secret. He’s torn between his attraction to her and uncovering the truth about her past. Their fiery passion threatens to consume them even as it becomes their greatest source of strength. As a deadly conspiracy simmers and a web of deceit threatens to engulf them, can they untangle the lies and trust each other enough to face the ultimate enemy?

Torn was a thrilling adventure that I found easy and fun to follow, given I hadn't read the earlier books in the series. I love finding authors who excel in writing romantic suspense, and Kenzie fits that role well. It takes you on a journey that spans miles to fight an evil entity. The chemistry was undeniable, and the banter was perfect. I struggled a bit trying to connect to the characters, but everything else was well worth the time. This is my honest opinion, freely given.

[Jacquie · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! Kenzie Macallan has given us another intriguing, edge-of-your-seat suspense with a whole lot of banter and sizzle with Torn! I LOVED every single thing about this one! Roger and Harlow are forced together trying to get all the pieces of the Deep 8 puzzle so they can ultimately destroy it! But there are so many twists and turns, unexpected detours and road blocks along the way! The ELECTRIFYING conclusion had me gasping out loud!!! This story truly had me guessing (mostly wrong!) about who the guilty parties were! The banter, not only between the MBK and ASIO crew, but between Roger and Harlow had me laughing out loud at times, lightening some pretty heavy situations that had my heart getting a workout! The sizzling chemistry between these two was AMAZING and watching them navigate through everything and come out the other side was truly awe-inspiring! I seriously couldn't put this book down and though Torn CAN be read as a standalone, you would get more out of it if the series was read in order! But whatever you do, you MUST READ this book! HIGHLY recommend!

[Bren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never expected to be so engrossed in Roger and Stella's story to the point of reading till the wee hours of the morning just so I could finish it. The plot has many twists that snags your attention and holds you captive from start to finish.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is suspenseful and addictive. Roger is assigned to lead the mission to find his father who was abducted from a public event. He meets Harlow who was his father’s personal assistant for the last few years who is determined to find her boss who she was also undercover watching him.

The pieces slowly begin to come together to have another clue take the story in an unexpected direction. The clues take them far and wide on a quest to stop a group trying to takeover the world order.

Close proximity and pretending to be married while on the mission ignite the sparks of attraction between Roger and Harlow and the result is spicy.

This was the first book I read in the Deep 8 or MBK series and though there were a lot of characters that obviously had been the focus of previous books, this book still was enjoyable and entertaining without too many moments that seemed to be storyline gaps.

I received a free ARC from the author and Hidden Gems; and I am voluntarily leaving an unbiased review.

[CLEO · Rating 4 out of 5]

We finally uncover who's behind Deep 8! I came into this series a little late, but every book has been packed with suspense, heart-pounding action, and the absolute perfection of Harlow and Roger’s banter.

Roger is on a relentless mission to find his kidnapped father, taken by the infamous Deep 8. The twists, turns, and roadblocks only fuel his determination to stay focused. Thankfully, he has his team—and Harlow—by his side, making the mission just a bit easier as they piece together the puzzles standing in their way.

Harlow has her own reasons for diving into this mission, and while helping Roger, she’s also searching for answers of her own. But will she find what she’s looking for? And will the outcome leave her shocked?

This series is a must-read for any suspense or military romance fan—it delivers on every level!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a gripping story of two very strong characters coming together for the common good. Harlow is a strong agent who is determined to find out what happened to her father. When Roger comes into the picture determined to be a part of the investigation of his missing dad, things start to unravel and show their true colors. Will they be able to work together as a team to defeat the evil Deep 8 or will they loos it all? I was given a copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Valeen Robertson (Live Thru Books Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazon / B&N / Apple / Kobo



Roger's father has been taken, and Roger and his team are on the mission to rescue him. They've got help from his father's assistant, Harlow, who is proving to be someone other than a simple assistant. But who/what exactly is Harlow? Soon she and Roger are racing the clock to stop whoever's taken his father, and who appear to have an ominous agenda. Along the way, the chemistry between them ignites, but Harlow's got serious trust issues, and Roger will have to work double time to overcome them. AFTER they complete their mission.



Harlow, like Roger, has father issues. But hers are of a different kind, and everything that's happened in her life has left her with deep scars inside. Then along comes Roger, and though they're working toward the same goal, the same mission, their chemistry is something that can't be ignored. She's coming to like being around him, and she isn't sure she can trust what's happening will be something they can continue after they're no longer on the same team. But they might, if she can open herself up to all the possibilities.



This is the first I've read by Kenzie, but after this, it definitely won't be the last. There's action, suspense, two deeply layered and likable leads who have smokin' hot chemistry - what's not to love? Deep 8 is a very intriguing group, so I'm about to dive into their world and read all the past installments, and am looking forward to more to come.



ARC provided by Xpresso Book Tours for an honest review.

Review / Blog Tour: Live Through Books Blog.

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[Dianne Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book, I will definitely look for other Kenzie Macallan books.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

What a grand finale!!! Yes, I am sure this book could be read as a standalone but I hope you will start at the beginning and get the full adventure of taking down the Deep 8 organization. The author as once again given us a novel full of adventure, lies and deception, fighting for lives, and an unexpected love that grows all while finding the final pieces of the puzzle.

Roger and Harlow steal the show as they find themselves working on the same team, trying to find his father/ her boss. With each lie uncovered, they find out a little bit more about one another. With each piece of the puzzle things get a little fuzzier and the race to the end more important.

They never expected the final destination and the man behind organization. Will they be able to stop Deep 8 and keep everyone alive at the same time?

Grab your copy and settle in for some edge of the seat reading.

*** Advanced copy provided in exchange for an honest review. ***

[Krissy C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received as an ARC and leaving my honest review voluntarily. Standalone in an interconnected series so I think it would help to read the earlier books to better appreciate the story arc. I missed a few and whilst I could appreciate Roger and Harlow's story, I did feel a little lost on the Deep 8 arc. That said, the suspense and twists were well written and kept me glued to the pages. The chemistry between Roger and Harlow was steamy and so much more as they started to connect on a deeper level, helping each other to confront their pasts and the ugly truth of the mission. The story and series wrapped up with a satisfying and heartfelt end as you see the whole team together celebrating life and love.

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harlow and Rogers story is the fifth and final book in the Deep 8 series. It can be read as a standalone but there is a secondary plot that runs throughout the series. I think the series is best enjoyed when read in order. Roger and Harlow work together to find the missing pieces to find out who is behind the Deep 8 group and stop them from carrying out their plans. Roger is searching for his kidnapped father and Harlow is looking for her fathers killer. This book is filled with romance, suspense and action. You'll see previous characters of the Deep 8 series along with the guys from MBK Security. I loved this series.

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

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! Deception upon betrayal upon deception! Is anyone who they claim to be in the MBK/Deep 8 world? Roger and Harlow must save the world from Deep 8's world (dis)order plans. They realize that the only ones they can completely count on are themselves and their team. Roger seeks to learn Harlow's secrets before he can truly trust their love and rely on her help. Can they save the world and themselves from Deep 8's devilish schemes? Can they finally bring the end to Deep 8? I loved this addition to the Deep 8 series. Way to go Kenzie!
I received an ARC of Torn, but am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Carolyn Spence · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great read in this series. Roger and Harlow start out on opposite sides of the search but soon come to realize there is more to this retrieval than they thought. They have to trust each other. This MBK family is full of surprises. It was wonderful to read the development of these two characters as they figured things out, and not just about the case. Men really are overgrown children, especially with Rice Krispies. It's more than having my Six, it includes any number imaginable.

I voluntarily reviewed this book.

[Fleur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whilst I have only read one other books in this series I really enjoyed this and didn't feel like I was missing out, in saying that I do want to go and read the books I haven't as there are some great characters.
It was great that we are on a race against time from the beginning never knowing what the next demand will be or the danger as well as having feelings between Harlow and Roger growing while she holds a secret.

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

[Avid Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

The relationship between parent and child can be very complex and this story shows just how complicated. Roger can never measure up to his father's expectations while Harlow worships her dead father. Each has their own agenda in working together. A fast paced action packed book full of twists and turns and new revelations. Also a great romance developing in fits and starts. Loved it.

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

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

He needs to work with her to save his father after they was taken captive. She has secrets from her past which she wants to keep hidden but working with him may just reveal them all. They will find themselves getting distracted by the other and it is not going to be easy to get the answers they both need. See how they get on
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and was quickly pulled into the tale

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Explosive chemistry and nonstop suspense!
I’ve always loved romantic thrillers, but TORN took things to another level. Roger and Harlow’s tension practically leapt off the page. I could feel the danger in every scene, and that twist about Harlow’s father broke my heart. I used to work in law enforcement, so I really connected with her constant struggle between duty and emotion. This book reminded me that sometimes the hardest person to trust… is yourself.

[JM G · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend reading this fantastic book. It is so well written I didn't want to put it down. The twists and turns keep you at the edge of your seat waiting to see what is going to happen next. The characters are spicy HOT! Definitely can feel the chemistry between them.

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

[BecReadReview · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was some heavy reading as we dug deep into so many aspects of betrayal & emotions. I enjoyed Roger & Harlow's banter & sassy sides despite heavy emotions ruling them. We enjoy banter, camaraderie & steaming heat as we try to understand all the working parts to this series. Honest review.

[LizJ. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Torn Book 5 of Deep 8 series by Kenzie Macallan has written another amazing hold on to the edge of your seat thriller!! This kept me engaged and guessing throughout the book!! Highly recommend!!.

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

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buckle those seat belts. This is one fantastic, thrilling ride!

Ms. Macallan wrote a block-buster!

Get ready for some wickedly good suspense with Roger and Harlow!

Excellent banter and fast-paced action!

Cannot wait to read more stories from this series!

[Jacqueline Ellison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intense read that grabs your attention and doesn't let go until the very end. This action packed edge of your seat read had me trying to figure out who was the leader of Deep 8. Harlow and Roger are thrown into dangerous situations trying to find the pieces to rescue his father.

[Amy Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. I didn't want to put it down! So much action and so many twists! I can't wait to read more of this series.

[Karen Hrdlicka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved the Deep 8 series and Torn is no exception. Sadly it's the last of the series but it is a nail-biter until the end. The reader goes worldwide with the team to try to save one of their own's kidnapped father. Danger and intrigue follow the son and his father's assistant, who isn't what she seems, and proximity promises a romance with lots of bumps in the road. I can't wait to see what's next from this author.