Tracing Her Stolen Identity

Secure Watch #2

by Katie Mettner

Hunting the enemy who erased her identity

  plunges them into a fight for their lives

Skylar Sullivan no longer exists. The obliteration of her identity is only the first step in a diabolical plan to frame the artist for crimes she couldn’t have physically committed from her wheelchair. Turning to the one person she can trust brings back memories of a night fourteen years ago when Sky lost the boy she loved. Reece Palmer failed Sky once. When he vows to protect her with his life in a way he couldn't in the past, the cybersecurity expert must take down a mortal threat before a cold-blooded avenger makes Sky disappear forever.

From Harlequin Seek thrills. Solve crimes. Justice served.

Discover more action-packed stories in the Secure Watch series. All books are stand-alone with uplifting endings but were published in the following

Book 1: Dark Web Investigation
Book 2: Tracing Her Stolen Identity
Book 3: Deadly Security Breach

Genres: Harlequin, Mystery, Romantic Suspense

217 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 30, 2025

About the author

Katie Mettner wears the title of 'the only person to lose her leg after falling down the bunny hill' and loves decorating her prosthetic leg to fit the season. She lives in Northern Wisconsin with her own happily-ever-after and spends the day writing romantic stories with her sweet puppy by her side. Katie has an addiction to coffee and dachshunds and a lessening aversion to Pinterest — now that she’s quit trying to make the things she pins.

Read about more of Katie's adventures as an amputee writer at http://katiemettner.com/
Come chat with Katie on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Katie-...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katiemettner/
Are you a Pinner? Pin with Katie
https://www.pinterest.com/katie_mettner/

Reviews

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Second Chance Romantic Suspense, and this is the second book in the Secure Watch Book series. I have read the first book in this series before picking up this book. I really loved the characters in this book, and I loved the mystery in this book. The twists was so good, and I really enjoyed reading this book. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.

[Abbie Roads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book kept me hooked from start to finish! I was completely surprised by who the bad guy turned out to be—Mettner did a great job of keeping me guessing until the end. I also appreciated how the heroine’s disability was portrayed; Skylar’s strength and resilience shone through in every scene, and I learned a lot from her perspective as she fought to reclaim her identity. The love story between Sky and Reece added so much heart to the suspense, balancing danger with deep emotion. A thrilling, twisty, and heartfelt read!

[Denise Schenk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skylar Sullivan returns home after an absence to find her apartment in chaos. Her identity has been completely erased, and she knows only one person she can turn to for help: Reece Palmer, her childhood friend she hasn’t seen in years. Reece still carries guilt from high school, believing he failed her when the accident left her in a wheelchair. Skylar is clueless about who’s trying to frame her and ruin her reputation in the art world, but Reece and his team step in to protect her and uncover the truth.

[Christina Mages · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would. It’s been 14 years since skylar has seen Reece. Something has happened and she needs his help. Can she count on him? Not only can she count on him, but the secure one and secure watch have her back. This book has twists and turns, you think you know who stole sky’s identity but then something happens that makes you think you’re wrong. When you find out who did it you’re surprised. Also such a great ending.

[Jennifer Bollnow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skylar comes home from vacation to discover her bank card doesn't work and her apartment has been broken into and trashed. She must call on her high school best friend, Reece, for help. They must find out who has stolen her identity and why. This book is the second installment in the Secure Watch series. This is an exciting story that will keep you guessing. It has handicapped representation in the FMC, which has been wheelchair bound since high school, and a very realistic look at her life. It also has characters with PTSD. It has a little spice but a sweet second chance for romance while a mystery is underway. I recommend and will read more of Katie Mettner's work in the future.

[Tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was SUCH a beautiful second chance romance! It was written beautifully and executed brilliantly.
I loved the tension and angst and yearning.
And I absolutely adore Reece with my entire being. The way he accepted Skylar in every single way, and didn't even care that she was disabled melted my heart. This is truly a book about redemption and learning to love yourself enough to accept the love you deserve. Katie has gained a fan for life in me.
The suspense was really good too, leading to an ending no one was expecting.
The nicknames they had or each other since childhood that they still used? SWOON. "Im your sky so you're my Land." UGH. I could not get enough of this story and I'm hanging on by a thread waiting for the next book!
The perfect summary of this book is the quote at the end, "Angel, I would give up any opportunity for you, because that's what love is."
Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC!! Ifinished it in a few hours because it was just THAT good.

[Amanda Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Injured during a cheer competition 14 years ago, Skylar has turned to her love of art as her career. After pushing away her best friend from childhood when she was injured, she must turn to him now when her past comes back to haunt her and her life is erased. Skylar, being paralyzed from a T5 injury, always felt she would remain alone until she has to call the one person she still trusts to help her and the one she pushed away. Reece doesn’t hesitate when Skylar calls and jumps in to lend a hand. Can he keep her safe and resolve all the issues both past and present? Another FABULOUS book from Katie Mettner full of action, intrigue, suspense and romance. The Secure Watch and Secure One series are fabulous and I am looking forward to reading more of both. Highly recommend!!!

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy romance with all the suspenseful twists and turns, you’ll thoroughly enjoy this second chance, friends to lovers with the perfect amount of intrigue and mystery. From the opening chapter to the last chapter, Ms. Mettner keeps you on the edge of your seat all the while partaking in a well written romantic relationship.

Skylar, an artist and wheelchair bound due to an accident while cheerleading at age 17, has been going about her “new” normal for the past fourteen years. She comes home from a retreat to find her identity had been stolen and wiped from any electronic trace. After being threatened to not get the police involved, she calls upon the one man she had always known she could trust, her childhood best friend, Reece Palmer. Oh Reece, where do I begin with him?? Not only Ami convinced he is very easy on the eyes but his deep love and admiration for Skylar just makes you love his character more. He didn’t see her as a charity case or less than what she is. He knew she was so much more than that. The overall plot of who stole her identity and “tracing” back to the why was well written and had me guessing — never expected several of the twists!!

Not only is this a book about the growth and love development between our leading characters but also a journey and transformation of forgiveness (especially of one’s self); a reflection of the past but to also move positively forward with a fresh renewal for the future. You’ll find great chemistry between Skylar and Reece — slightly open door but the focus is not so much on the physical aspect of their love and attraction but their deeper emotional growth. There’s no foul or crude language which is appreciated as Ms. Mettner is brilliant at conveying passion, suspense, serous and complexity of the situation at hand in her writing especially in writing her stories that incorporate male or female leads with a disability and normalizing to her readers that an outward limitation(s) doesn’t translate to love and romance.

I love this series and the previous Secure One series where we get previous book characters intertwined throughout the story. It allows you to in a way get some updates on your favorite past characters. Book two of the Secure Watch series, which has become my favorite so far!

I received an advanced copy of this from NetGalley and Harlequin-Romance and Intrigue. All my thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book number 2 in the Secure Watch series really delivers with romance and suspense. This book is a must read!

Childhood friends Reece and Skyler were driven apart by a freak accident that left Skyler paralyzed. Fourteen years later Reece has never gotten over Skyler. Meanwhile, Skyler has put her life back together and things are going well until she returns home from a trip to find someone is trying to wipe her very existence out. She needs help and she knows she can trust Reece. Reece seizes the chance to prove he can be trusted with Skyler’s problems and more importantly his love if she will let him.

This book totally delivers on romance and thrills. You won’t want to put it down. A book you will want to keep for a second read.

I received an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Jennifer Bowland · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy second chance tropes this is the book for you. I loved Reece and Skylar’s story. Their backstory of when they were younger and how they met and how they came to reconnect 14 years later.

I was sucked in from the first chapter! Katie had a way of hooking you in.

There were several things that reminded me of when I was younger in this book and I loved it. The first being the reference to the choose your own adventure books. I freaking loved those growing up. The other was when Reece was eating Grape Nuts cereal and it reminded me of the time I lost a tooth while I was eating said cereal.

As always I love how the Secure One/Watch team come together to save the day.

Thank you Katie for an ARC ♥️

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg this is the best book out of both of the Secure One and Secure Watch series. Now don’t get me wrong, I loved every book of these 2 series. But this book so far is chefs kiss. It was so good and very exciting. I loved every minute of it and can’t wait to see what comes next. If you haven’t read these series, hurry and get caught up. All the books are a fast paced adventure into the underworld of criminal activity and how these teams help to rid of the corruption. I highly recommend this book and all the rest.

[DebM · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a good second chance romance and enjoy some mystery and suspense, then this is the book for you.

Skylar is an up and coming artist who uses a wheel chair for the last 14 years of her life. She was on cheer squad and in the middle of a competition when an out of control golf cart smashes into the group and takes out Reece and the others while Skylar is in mid air. After she fell she could not feel her legs. Reece, her boyfriend and squad partner could not catch her as he was thrown by the cart and broke his arm.

Skylar comes jome from a trip away gathering new ideas for her work. Ahe comes home to yo find her house has been broken into and things are broken and lying around

She calls the only person she has ever trusted, Reece. After 14 years of not having any contact from her h’s surprised but knows something must be wrong.

He arrives and calls Secure Watch and they have him take her to a safe house
Immediately.

The suspense really starts to increase as they try to solve what is happening to her. Together Secure Watch and Skylar and Reece try to find the mysterious Binate. And Reece is also working to prove to Skylar how much he loves her and not let her push him away again.

Who is doing this to Slylar?
Will Reeve be able to convince Skylar just how strong she is and love again?

You’ll have to read it to find out!

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars
Tracing Her Stolen Identity is part of the Secure Watch series (which is a spin-off of the Secure One Series) but is also a standalone story. Skylar Sullivan is a glass/mosaic artist who comes home from a trip to find her home in shambles and learns someone has stolen her identity. She calls the only person she can trust, her best friend from high school, Reece Palmer. They soon learn that the unknown person isn't just out to steal her identity but is trying to destroy her life.

Reece is determined to protect Skylar and find out who is targeting her, but their history makes things awkward between them. They haven't seen each other in years after an accident resulted in Skylar being paralyzed and Reece feeling responsible. The two are forced to spend time together and it's soon clear that old feelings and the spark between the two of them haven't gone away. The story does a good job of balancing suspense and romance, and the ending has both drama and a satisfying resolution. I've enjoyed the books in this series and the original for the mysteries and the interesting, diverse group of characters, and this one is no exception!

Thank you to HTP Books, HTP Hive, and the Hive Influencer program for the advance copy of the ebook. My review is voluntary and unbiased.

[VDKeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Y’all! This book hijacked my sleep schedule—in the BEST way. 😅 Skylar may be in a wheelchair, but don’t mistake that for weakness—she’s fierce, brilliant, and unstoppable, proving strength comes in many forms. 💻 Her entire identity? ERASED. 👀 A ruthless villain wants her gone. ❤️ Enter Reece—the boy she lost 14 years ago, now a cybersecurity hero with guilt, grit, and swoony vibes.

This story smells like danger, tastes like tension, and leaves your pulse racing ⚡️. The chemistry? CRACKLES. The suspense? EDGE. OF. SEAT. Don’t blame me when you “just one more chapter” your way straight to 3 a.m. 🚨

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A thrill ride for readers who like their action fast, their romance fiery, and their villains deliciously dark.

[Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm always drawn to books that include persons with disabilities and this author proves that her own personal knowledge translates well to her characters. The more people know and the more we can normalize disabilities, the less ignorant people are - or we can hope anyway.

This story is a second chance for Reece and Skylar, who as childhood friends lived through a traumatic event that lead to Sky's paralysis. Fourteen years later, she reaches out to Reece when her life falls apart unexpectantly. With the help of his employer and his team, Reece and Sky work to figure out who is behind the attack and clear her name. This is a mystery with a bit of suspense and romance. I nice change from my regular reads. 3.5 to 4 stars.

[Patricia Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Sky and Reece’s story.
The plot in this was wonderful. It had tons of suspense and lots of emotions.
What happens when your whole life suddenly disappears, who is doing this to you. Sky has to call the one person who may be able to help her. Only problem, they haven’t spoke in many years. Can Land let go of his guilt long enough to help her?
I loved the characters and everything about them.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Katie for the chance to read and review this book.

[KristieReadsBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you haven’t read Katie Mettner, you need to. Her books are amazing and there’s a lesson about disabilities in each one. This story is filled with action, suspense, and a beautiful love story.

Skyler’s life has turned upside down and there’s one person she can count on…Palmer. Determined not to let feelings get in the way, she needs his help to solve the mystery around her stolen identity.

Palmer is a good man…willing to drop everything to help Skyler. He has some burdens he needs to let go of…together, they help one another move on from the past.

They face challenges at every turn. But together, they form an amazing partnership to make Skyler’s life whole again.

Looking forward to the other books in the series.

[Caroline Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Skylar and Reece have the most unusual love story as she had pushed him away fourteen years ago.
I was gripped from the very first page until the last page.
The storyline kept me guessing throughout the book, Ms Mettner has a way of writing that builds the excitement within you.
Her main characters are so endearing and she always has characters from previous books in the series.
This is definitely a brilliant addition to the series, I thoroughly enjoyed it

[Mary Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Skylar discovers someone has erased her identity...bank accounts, on line presence...everything. She reluctantly reaches out to the one person who can help her. She wants to keep it platonic, but they cannot deny the chemistry between them. Katie Mettner did it again....drama, romance, mystery, suspense. all in an un-put-downable fun book!

[Marsha Lambert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I I thoroughly enjoyed this book. So many facets to this story, romance, suspense, mystery and so much more. A victim of a stolen identity, who also happens to be wheelchair bound is targeted. She calls on a ‘friend’ from many years go and he comes through in a big way. Full of twists and turns, ups and downs, this book was so much fun to read.

[Jessica Gwyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tracing her Stolen Identity is one of those books that will stick with me. I love second chance romance and this was such a great one. I think this was my first book where one of the main characters is in a wheelchair. I appreciated all the accuracy the author included and that she didn’t shy away from sharing the reality of what life is like for someone who is paralyzed like Skylar.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Skylar finds her home trashed theres only one person shed call to make her feel safe Reece. Skylar was everything to Reece but after an accident he blames himself for they both called what they had quits so its a surprise that she even called him and after some digging it looks like more then just her house was trashed, it seems like someone is framing Skylar for trashing local art galleries and Reece knows better. Now he's going to do everything he can to keep her safe and figure out who is behind this.

I really enjoyed things books. There was so much going on with what they were dealing with, past traumas that were coming out causing them to face the past and seeing the complications of her recent life as a paralyzed women. I really enjoyed following what was going on and found this book hard to put down. Highly Recommend!

[Donna Shell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romance, suspense, twists as turns, this book has it all! Skylar and Reece are childhood friends, but haven’t seen each other for 14 years. When Skylar needs help, she reaches out to her old friend Reece. Will they pick up where they left off, and will they find who stole her identity? Pick it up and find out for yourself!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5*
Suspenseful, romantic and thrilling, this book brings all the feels. With incredibly detailed and powerful descriptions of life with a profound disability, the author is a true advocate which doesn’t distract from the riveting story that unfolds.

[Vickie Milton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Skyler and Reece have know each other all their lives. They were best friends who wanted more but an accident changed their lives forever. 14 years later she needs help and he’s still the only one she trusts. This book keeps you guessing and has a happily ever after. Loved it!

[Andi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, fast paced read!
Great romantic suspense with lots of plot twists with wonderful characters!

[Laramee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fast paced suspense with a side of second chance romance!

I received an ARC through Netgalley and all opinions are my own.

[Em theglitterybookworm_ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

[Emma (thecaffeinatedbookaholic) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I flew through this one!! I loved the suspense. I mean discovering your entire existence was just deleted one day?! Having to figure out what happened and why?! It had everything I wanted! I really enjoyed Reece & Skylar–I loved learning about their relationship when they were younger. These two have a world of pain between them, but Skylar in danger has them coming face-to-face, and they can’t ignore the pain or the feelings that still exist between them. I loved watching these two find each other (and find happiness) again! Couldn’t put it down–def a great quick romantic suspense!

[ARC review]

[Renee Helton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book.
Full of plot twists and action.
Looking forward to reading more books by this author.