What do you think?
Warrior Peak Sanctuary #1
Protective Assignment
He’s not the man he used to be
He’s the man she needs now
Cade Thatcher is on his way to a mountain retreat when he picks up a hitchhiker. Skittish and withdrawn, River Robertson is obviously running from something. Cade is supposed to be rehabilitating from injuries he endured in Afghanistan, not taking on new duties. But he feels responsible for River, and his instinct to protect her overrides his fears about what he can do with his shattered body. When the cult leader obsessed with River tracks her down, Cade will push himself to the limits to keep her safe.
From Harlequin Seek thrills. Solve crimes. Justice served.
Discover more action-packed stories in the Warrior Peak Sanctuary series. All books are stand-alone with uplifting endings but were published in the following order:
Book 1: Protective Assignment
He’s the man she needs now
Cade Thatcher is on his way to a mountain retreat when he picks up a hitchhiker. Skittish and withdrawn, River Robertson is obviously running from something. Cade is supposed to be rehabilitating from injuries he endured in Afghanistan, not taking on new duties. But he feels responsible for River, and his instinct to protect her overrides his fears about what he can do with his shattered body. When the cult leader obsessed with River tracks her down, Cade will push himself to the limits to keep her safe.
From Harlequin Seek thrills. Solve crimes. Justice served.
Discover more action-packed stories in the Warrior Peak Sanctuary series. All books are stand-alone with uplifting endings but were published in the following order:
Book 1: Protective Assignment
221 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 26, 2025
About the author
Janie Crouch
235 books2,060 followersUSA Today and Publishers Weekly bestselling author Janie Crouch writes what she loves to read: passionate romantic suspense.
After a lifetime on the East Coast—and a six-year stint in Germany due to her husband's job as support for the U.S. Military—Janie has settled into her dream home in Front Range of the Colorado Rockies. She loves engaging in all sorts of adventures (triathlons! 200-mile relay races! mountain treks!), traveling, and surviving life with four kids.
Heroes exist. Let a Janie Crouch book prove it to you.
Check out Janie's updates and more on her website at http://www.janiecrouch.com
After a lifetime on the East Coast—and a six-year stint in Germany due to her husband's job as support for the U.S. Military—Janie has settled into her dream home in Front Range of the Colorado Rockies. She loves engaging in all sorts of adventures (triathlons! 200-mile relay races! mountain treks!), traveling, and surviving life with four kids.
Heroes exist. Let a Janie Crouch book prove it to you.
Check out Janie's updates and more on her website at http://www.janiecrouch.com
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
January 26, 2026
I did not like how the River Ryker issues was resolved.
August 30, 2026
This is a Romantic Suspense, and this is the first book in the Warrior Peak Sanctuary series. I read this book by listening to the audiobook, and I really enjoyed the audiobook. This is a great start to a series, and I loved getting to know the characters in this book. This book is fast paced and filled with drama. I really enjoyed the ending of this book. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.
August 28, 2025
Trust is the hardest thing to give....
....but it can be the most rewarding.
River is running, running for her life and the only way to stay alive herself and keep others unharmed is to keep to herself and keep running. But Cade offers her safety and security in a way she never thought was possible, and that has her walls crumbling. Watching the more confident River emerge from the broken shell Cade first meets is beautiful, she begins to heal and finally sees the bigger picture and future possibilities.
An explosive start to this new series which introduces us to a fantastic and diverse cast of characters and secrets, I look forward to more visits to Warrior Peak Sanctuary.
....but it can be the most rewarding.
River is running, running for her life and the only way to stay alive herself and keep others unharmed is to keep to herself and keep running. But Cade offers her safety and security in a way she never thought was possible, and that has her walls crumbling. Watching the more confident River emerge from the broken shell Cade first meets is beautiful, she begins to heal and finally sees the bigger picture and future possibilities.
An explosive start to this new series which introduces us to a fantastic and diverse cast of characters and secrets, I look forward to more visits to Warrior Peak Sanctuary.
May 6, 2026
Great start to the new series, which centers on a rehab facility in North Carolina. Cade is former military, recovering from injuries he received in Afghanistan. His brother, Carter, works at Warrior Peak and invited Cade to continue his recovery there. He isn't sure what the future holds for him, and this will give him a chance to explore his options. On an isolated road, he encounters a young woman hitchhiking. With an intensifying storm, he picks her up and takes her with him to Warrior Peak.
River is on the run, staying as far from people as possible. She is about at the end of her rope when she accepts Cade's offer of a ride. Wary of the welcoming people at Warrior Peak, she hesitates to stay.
I liked how the people at Warrior Peak welcomed River. They realize that something is going on, but are willing to wait for her to open up. I loved Cade's protectiveness and his efforts to make her feel safe. I liked watching River come out of her shell as her sense of safety increased, allowing her to form friendships with Hannah and the others. I enjoyed watching Cade and River grow closer, wary of trusting their feelings, but unable to deny them. I liked seeing them look at the future possibilities together.
The suspense was good. We learn early on that River escaped from a Florida cult leader who was determined to make her his wife. Keeping to herself is the only way she sees to avoid discovery. We see her hope that she has finally succeeded, only to discover that the cult has expanded its operations while the leader continues to hunt for her. The suspense intensified when local law enforcement identified the new criminal activity. I was glued to the pages when River was abducted. Cade's worry and desperation to find her leapt off the page. The nail-biter final confrontation had a twist I didn't expect but loved.
River is on the run, staying as far from people as possible. She is about at the end of her rope when she accepts Cade's offer of a ride. Wary of the welcoming people at Warrior Peak, she hesitates to stay.
I liked how the people at Warrior Peak welcomed River. They realize that something is going on, but are willing to wait for her to open up. I loved Cade's protectiveness and his efforts to make her feel safe. I liked watching River come out of her shell as her sense of safety increased, allowing her to form friendships with Hannah and the others. I enjoyed watching Cade and River grow closer, wary of trusting their feelings, but unable to deny them. I liked seeing them look at the future possibilities together.
The suspense was good. We learn early on that River escaped from a Florida cult leader who was determined to make her his wife. Keeping to herself is the only way she sees to avoid discovery. We see her hope that she has finally succeeded, only to discover that the cult has expanded its operations while the leader continues to hunt for her. The suspense intensified when local law enforcement identified the new criminal activity. I was glued to the pages when River was abducted. Cade's worry and desperation to find her leapt off the page. The nail-biter final confrontation had a twist I didn't expect but loved.
September 14, 2025
A luke-warm, medium-meh, vanilla ice cream sort of book. Not crap, not great, but in-between.
I think where it falls down is it doesn't really develop much of the romance or the suspense.
I didn't feel anything between the h and H. After a few awkward 'hey how ya doin?' passings moments in the cafe, they suddenly kiss and then tip immediately into 'I'll die for you' love. What? When? How? Why? I mean if you say so I guess you are. Very much a 'tell don't show' romance here.
The suspense story was too wishy washy. There is a baddy out there, and a motorbike gang/cult, but everything about them is so vague and distant and 'meeehhh' I found it hard to care or even consider them a threat.
Why is everybody at this ex-military rehab center so mustard keen to adopt/take on/employ/be bosom buddies with a random, shabby, unwell person who is as far as they know a wandering, mentally ill tramp who refuses to tell them her last name? Hannah claps her hands, gushes about 'girl talk' and how she wants to be her bestie friend omggg. They literally just met. Xavier is up for giving her a full time, fully paid up job as 'clothes mender' as though such a thing exists in a rehab center. OK let's be dishing out made-up non-jobs to the fishy runway its fiiiiine. The therapist at the center wants to.... bare with me here... take the twitchy hobo lady on as another therapist (wtf???) because she saw her soothing a dude for like 5 seconds in a hallway. 'Girl you are a natural, I've never seen anybody respond to a patient with PTSD like you have, will you stay on and be my assistant therapist?' Any therapist that wants to take on a nameless, homeless, obviously mentally ill runway to treat ex-servicemen suffering from PTSD needs to have her license revoked.
I think where it falls down is it doesn't really develop much of the romance or the suspense.
I didn't feel anything between the h and H. After a few awkward 'hey how ya doin?' passings moments in the cafe, they suddenly kiss and then tip immediately into 'I'll die for you' love. What? When? How? Why? I mean if you say so I guess you are. Very much a 'tell don't show' romance here.
The suspense story was too wishy washy. There is a baddy out there, and a motorbike gang/cult, but everything about them is so vague and distant and 'meeehhh' I found it hard to care or even consider them a threat.
Why is everybody at this ex-military rehab center so mustard keen to adopt/take on/employ/be bosom buddies with a random, shabby, unwell person who is as far as they know a wandering, mentally ill tramp who refuses to tell them her last name? Hannah claps her hands, gushes about 'girl talk' and how she wants to be her bestie friend omggg. They literally just met. Xavier is up for giving her a full time, fully paid up job as 'clothes mender' as though such a thing exists in a rehab center. OK let's be dishing out made-up non-jobs to the fishy runway its fiiiiine. The therapist at the center wants to.... bare with me here... take the twitchy hobo lady on as another therapist (wtf???) because she saw her soothing a dude for like 5 seconds in a hallway. 'Girl you are a natural, I've never seen anybody respond to a patient with PTSD like you have, will you stay on and be my assistant therapist?' Any therapist that wants to take on a nameless, homeless, obviously mentally ill runway to treat ex-servicemen suffering from PTSD needs to have her license revoked.
September 9, 2026
River Robertson is on the run and fighting for her life, so she has little choice but to accept a ride from Cade Thatcher. Maybe it’s the pouring rain, or perhaps it’s his calm demeanor, but River immediately feels comfortable around him.
Cade is ex-military and recovering from a devastating injury. He desperately wants to get back into the field and is determined to prove that he still has what it takes. He wants his brother, a physical therapist, to put him through whatever grueling training is necessary to get him there.
Cade is on his way to Warrior Peak Sanctuary, a secluded mountain retreat that serves as a haven for wounded warriors. It doesn’t take him long to realize that the Sanctuary might be the perfect place for her as well. And just as River feels comfortable around Cade, he finds himself becoming protective of her. This is something that definitely wasn’t on his agenda.
As Cade begins his own journey of healing and recovery, he and the team at the Sanctuary gradually learn more about the mysterious River. She has escaped from a dangerous cult and is terrified that they will find her. Staying hidden may be her only chance to survive.
Protective Assignment is an exciting first book in the Warrior Peak Sanctuary series. I enjoyed meeting the residents of the Sanctuary and getting to know Cade and River. I’m definitely looking forward to the future books, as each member of this team seems to have a story of their own to tell.
Many thanks to Harlequin Audio and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Cade is ex-military and recovering from a devastating injury. He desperately wants to get back into the field and is determined to prove that he still has what it takes. He wants his brother, a physical therapist, to put him through whatever grueling training is necessary to get him there.
Cade is on his way to Warrior Peak Sanctuary, a secluded mountain retreat that serves as a haven for wounded warriors. It doesn’t take him long to realize that the Sanctuary might be the perfect place for her as well. And just as River feels comfortable around Cade, he finds himself becoming protective of her. This is something that definitely wasn’t on his agenda.
As Cade begins his own journey of healing and recovery, he and the team at the Sanctuary gradually learn more about the mysterious River. She has escaped from a dangerous cult and is terrified that they will find her. Staying hidden may be her only chance to survive.
Protective Assignment is an exciting first book in the Warrior Peak Sanctuary series. I enjoyed meeting the residents of the Sanctuary and getting to know Cade and River. I’m definitely looking forward to the future books, as each member of this team seems to have a story of their own to tell.
Many thanks to Harlequin Audio and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
August 30, 2026
This first story in the series belongs to Cade Thatcher and River Robertson.
After slowly recovering from near death injuries during his time as a member of Special Forces, Cade is traveling to North Carolina to Warrior Peak Sanctuary. A place where former military and law enforcement can go to recover and where his brother is a PT.
As he drives to the sanctuary in the midst of the rainstorm, he comes across a young woman hitchhiking.
River has escaped from a cult where the leader has been obsessed with her. Keeping her past from Cade and the leaders of the sanctuary is something she feels she needs to do. Not only to protect herself but also Cade and his friends.
Cade and River develop feelings and River starts feeling safe and at home. But what happens when the cult starts causing problems near their town ? Will River stay safe or will she decide she needs to leave to protect the people she has come to care about?
The story was engaging and the characters well developed.
The narrator, Jennifer Jill Araya, does a good job of bringing the story to life.
I was entrusted a copy of this audiobook by Netgalley and Harlequin Audio.
The opinions expressed are solely my own.
After slowly recovering from near death injuries during his time as a member of Special Forces, Cade is traveling to North Carolina to Warrior Peak Sanctuary. A place where former military and law enforcement can go to recover and where his brother is a PT.
As he drives to the sanctuary in the midst of the rainstorm, he comes across a young woman hitchhiking.
River has escaped from a cult where the leader has been obsessed with her. Keeping her past from Cade and the leaders of the sanctuary is something she feels she needs to do. Not only to protect herself but also Cade and his friends.
Cade and River develop feelings and River starts feeling safe and at home. But what happens when the cult starts causing problems near their town ? Will River stay safe or will she decide she needs to leave to protect the people she has come to care about?
The story was engaging and the characters well developed.
The narrator, Jennifer Jill Araya, does a good job of bringing the story to life.
I was entrusted a copy of this audiobook by Netgalley and Harlequin Audio.
The opinions expressed are solely my own.
August 31, 2026
Thank you to Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for the advanced audio copy. All opinions are my own.
4⭐️
Protective Assignment is book 1 in the Warrior Peak Sanctuary series, and follows Cade and River. I enjoyed Cade and River's instant chemistry, and their found family at the sanctuary.
Do I think the story is 100% realistic? No. Did I enjoy it anyway? Yes, yes I did. 😂
Jennifer Jill Araya is solid with the narration and bringing the story to life. The pacing is good and kept me engaged.
Overall I enjoyed this audiobook. It's worth checking out for readers who enjoy:
*Romantic Suspense
*Protector Romance
*Found Family
4⭐️
Protective Assignment is book 1 in the Warrior Peak Sanctuary series, and follows Cade and River. I enjoyed Cade and River's instant chemistry, and their found family at the sanctuary.
Do I think the story is 100% realistic? No. Did I enjoy it anyway? Yes, yes I did. 😂
Jennifer Jill Araya is solid with the narration and bringing the story to life. The pacing is good and kept me engaged.
Overall I enjoyed this audiobook. It's worth checking out for readers who enjoy:
*Romantic Suspense
*Protector Romance
*Found Family
September 4, 2026
Warrior Peak Sanctuary series. I’ve read a number of books by Janie Crouch, and I love the fast-paced nature of these quick reads. I often use her books as palette cleansers between longer fantasy reads.
I listened to this one on audiobook, and it was engaging even with the single narrator. Given how fast-paced the story is, there isn’t much room for character development. I didn’t feel quite as much chemistry between River and Cade as I typically do with Janie’s couples, but the suspenseful storyline kept me interested and wanting to see how everything played out.
Thank you to NetGalley and @htpbooks, HarperCollins, for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I listened to this one on audiobook, and it was engaging even with the single narrator. Given how fast-paced the story is, there isn’t much room for character development. I didn’t feel quite as much chemistry between River and Cade as I typically do with Janie’s couples, but the suspenseful storyline kept me interested and wanting to see how everything played out.
Thank you to NetGalley and @htpbooks, HarperCollins, for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 2, 2026
Protective Assignment by Janie Crouch, narrated by Jennifer Jill Araya. It is book #1 in the Warrior Peak Sanctuary series. Hitchhiking after escaping a dangerous cult, River is trying to survive and not be captured. Injured in Afghanistan is Cade heading to the sanctuary for recovery. All books in this series will be standalones. Can he keep River safe? Can they both heal and learn to trust? Thank you to #NetGalley and # HarlequinAudio for this eArc. This is my honest review. Released Aug 25, 2026
August 13, 2025
A fun and exciting read! A wounded ex-military protects a woman who escaped from a cult because, of course, the crazy cult leader is hunting her and is obsessed with getting her back. The whole story takes place in a beautiful wooded area that houses a sanctuary for wounded military and law enforcement to rehabilitate and get back on their feet. The description of the area is beautiful, the characters are warm and endearing, and you can tell that the author is setting up for other books in the series because she brings attention to the side characters as well, setting the stage for their stories. The plot line was enjoyable, some suspense and excitement, but nothing heavy. Definitely a closed-door romance, nothing explicit. Sweet and romantic rather than spicy. A fun read on my vacation!
September 12, 2025
Protective Assignment
Warrior Peak Sanctuary Janie Crouch
What a read! An intense story full of characters who fight the trauma to find peace and safety and love. Will Cade be able to find out River’s secret in time to save her in order to have a future with her? Page after page turned into the late night as you have to find out what happens. A great beginning to a series. Definitely a 5 star read!
Warrior Peak Sanctuary Janie Crouch
What a read! An intense story full of characters who fight the trauma to find peace and safety and love. Will Cade be able to find out River’s secret in time to save her in order to have a future with her? Page after page turned into the late night as you have to find out what happens. A great beginning to a series. Definitely a 5 star read!
May 26, 2026
The story was ok, but the writing was amateurish with the frequent use of the same words and phrases. I particularly think the character of River’s inner thoughts were the worst, with the author using a lot of words over and over to say the same things. We get it she was afraid, and didn’t want to tell people of her past, but other than some gloss overs I never felt her fear, or had a true sense of the terror she felt. In addition I never got a sense of why Cade felt so protective of her.
September 15, 2025
I always enjoy this author’s books and I enjoyed this one as I quickly devoured it. Nicely complex characters with well developed backgrounds set in an environment that I would call a “found family” - all of the pieces that I like to have in a book. Throw in secrets and action and you have the recipe for a page-turner. Definitely recommend. Looking forward to the rest of the series.
September 8, 2026
River is trying to escape and Cade finds her walking without warm clothes on his way to a retreat. He offers her a ride which she takes because his help outweighs her fear. She is allowed to stay for shelter and food but Cade never stops worrying about why she was out in the elements alone. When trouble comes looking for her, Cade, and with the Warrior Peak staff provide the safety she needs.
September 30, 2025
Cade is on his way to Warrior peak Sanctuary to meet up with his brother and to continue his rehab and to see where he goes now with his life after the military. On his way he picks up a hitchhiker named River who looks like she running from something or someone. What secrets does Rhiver have and can Cade get her to tell him so he can help? Suspense, danger, healing and finding family and love.
November 7, 2025
A perfectly enjoyable romantic thriller. Nothing groundbreaking but engaging and swoon worthy. I much prefer this authors heavier outings but enjoyed nonetheless and will be reading the next in the series.
April 5, 2026
5 star entertainment
The book was very well written. Even though it was a common trope, it still held my attention. It was a thoroughly entertaining book, quick read, and a nice, semi believable HEA.
The book was very well written. Even though it was a common trope, it still held my attention. It was a thoroughly entertaining book, quick read, and a nice, semi believable HEA.
June 21, 2026
Always a great read with this author!
I loved the flow of this story, wanting to know River's story. Cade needed to come & see his brother and heal. What better way to do that with a woman who intrigues you. Enjoy this adventure! 📚🎉❤️🌻
I loved the flow of this story, wanting to know River's story. Cade needed to come & see his brother and heal. What better way to do that with a woman who intrigues you. Enjoy this adventure! 📚🎉❤️🌻
August 30, 2026
A fantastic beginning to the series! Excited to see what comes next! The narrator did a fantastic job bringing this story to life!
I received an audio ARC through Netgalley and all opinions are my own.
I received an audio ARC through Netgalley and all opinions are my own.
Read
August 2, 2025Romantic Suspense, Police Procedural Mystery & Detective, Crime Thriller
Miniseries
Warrior Peak Sanctuary (Book #1)
Miniseries
Warrior Peak Sanctuary (Book #1)
Read
August 2, 2025Romantic Suspense, Police Procedural Mystery & Detective, Crime Thriller
Miniseries
Warrior Peak Sanctuary (Book #1)
Miniseries
Warrior Peak Sanctuary (Book #1)
August 28, 2025
A Must Read!
Janie Crouch is an excellent storyteller! I have read all of her stories and I loved them all! She doesn’t disappoint!
Janie Crouch is an excellent storyteller! I have read all of her stories and I loved them all! She doesn’t disappoint!
September 6, 2025
Romance
Thank you for sharing these wonderful romance novel series books. Please keep writing more of these wonderful books. Thank you
Thank you for sharing these wonderful romance novel series books. Please keep writing more of these wonderful books. Thank you
September 22, 2025
Really great plot. Good writing. I couldn’t put it down.
September 22, 2025
Quick easy enjoyable read.
November 20, 2025
Not one of her best reads.
May 26, 2026
I love a good cliche romance. I loved the plot and character development.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews