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Second Service #2
The Agent Next Door
Alternate cover edition of ASIN B00KH083SO
Erin Holliday has worked hard to build the perfect life: beautiful house, safe neighborhood, trusted friends. But everything she cherishes is threatened when the new neighbor moves in. As the daughter of a slain motorcycle gang leader, Erin knows what trouble looks like—she’s spent a lifetime trying to avoid it—and John Ryman certainly fits the bill. Her head tells her to keep her distance, but her heart has other plans.
Ex-Navy SEAL John Ryman has spent his whole career surrounded by danger. Now he’s ready to settle down, and a quiet suburban life will suit him just fine, if his gorgeous new neighbor is any indication.
But when a previous mistake has explosive consequences, John and Erin are thrown together, and it doesn't take long for them to realize that the only way they’ll survive to build a future together will by settling the debts of their past.
***
Part romantic comedy, part thriller, and filled with plenty of intrigue, The Agent Next Door is the second novel in the Second Service contemporary romance series.
***
Erin Holliday has worked hard to build the perfect life: beautiful house, safe neighborhood, trusted friends. But everything she cherishes is threatened when the new neighbor moves in. As the daughter of a slain motorcycle gang leader, Erin knows what trouble looks like—she’s spent a lifetime trying to avoid it—and John Ryman certainly fits the bill. Her head tells her to keep her distance, but her heart has other plans.
Ex-Navy SEAL John Ryman has spent his whole career surrounded by danger. Now he’s ready to settle down, and a quiet suburban life will suit him just fine, if his gorgeous new neighbor is any indication.
But when a previous mistake has explosive consequences, John and Erin are thrown together, and it doesn't take long for them to realize that the only way they’ll survive to build a future together will by settling the debts of their past.
***
Part romantic comedy, part thriller, and filled with plenty of intrigue, The Agent Next Door is the second novel in the Second Service contemporary romance series.
***
165 pages, ebook
First published May 1, 2014
209 people are currently reading
433 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
July 28, 2022
***4.25 Stars***
The Agent Next Door -- Book Two in the Second Service Series by Adrienne Bell.
I enjoyed reading this book and I loved the growing relationship between the hero and heroine.
Erin Holliday's family has a troubled past but she has worked very hard to achieve an attractive home, friends, living in a good neighborhood, and owning her own business.
Ex-Navy SEAL John Ryman feels he has spent the majority of his life living in danger. Now he's finished with that part of his life and is ready to settle down and live a quiet suburban life. He's given up the danger and living on the edge and now has a desk job. Dealing with criminals is still in his job description but not nearly as much as his previous positions. John is moving in his new home and is surprised to meet his new neighbor, Erin, and she is quite taken by the large, handsome man across the street.
A previous mistake has an enemy delivering a bomb to the woman John appears to be sweet on as payback. They are thrown together after the bombing as he feels he should be the one to offer her protection. They both have old scores to settle from their past so they can move forward and build a future together.
This was a great (but fairly unrealistic) story and a great escape from the drudgery of every day life. I highly recommend it and even though it is a stand-alone I suggest you read the series in the order.
The Agent Next Door -- Book Two in the Second Service Series by Adrienne Bell.
I enjoyed reading this book and I loved the growing relationship between the hero and heroine.
Erin Holliday's family has a troubled past but she has worked very hard to achieve an attractive home, friends, living in a good neighborhood, and owning her own business.
Ex-Navy SEAL John Ryman feels he has spent the majority of his life living in danger. Now he's finished with that part of his life and is ready to settle down and live a quiet suburban life. He's given up the danger and living on the edge and now has a desk job. Dealing with criminals is still in his job description but not nearly as much as his previous positions. John is moving in his new home and is surprised to meet his new neighbor, Erin, and she is quite taken by the large, handsome man across the street.
A previous mistake has an enemy delivering a bomb to the woman John appears to be sweet on as payback. They are thrown together after the bombing as he feels he should be the one to offer her protection. They both have old scores to settle from their past so they can move forward and build a future together.
This was a great (but fairly unrealistic) story and a great escape from the drudgery of every day life. I highly recommend it and even though it is a stand-alone I suggest you read the series in the order.
October 13, 2017
Adrienne Bell and I were made for each other. She writes just how I want to read: Sexy, suspenseful and just plain fantastic. I loved everything about "The Agent Next Door", the sizzling, immediate, sexual attraction, the heroine who has been hiding from the world and the OMG ending. It all worked and worked really, really well.
Erin has a new neighbor and he is a hottie, at least that is what friend, Marianne, tells her - Erin is to chicken to be caught peeking at the gorgeous hunk moving in next door. But caught she is when Marianne invites him to a neighborhood BBQ.
John is a former SEAL, now an agent with Homeland Security. He is moving away from field work and settling into a desk job and a home in the suburbs. He has just one last assignment to finish, then he can put the dangerous part of his life behind him. Life is sure looking good as Erin is sure a nice surprise as his new neighbor.
Unfortunately, the his last assignment didn't end as well as it could have and the head of a gun running cartel escaped, but his wife was killed. Revenge is on the horizon for John and Erin is the target. 5-Stars
Erin has a new neighbor and he is a hottie, at least that is what friend, Marianne, tells her - Erin is to chicken to be caught peeking at the gorgeous hunk moving in next door. But caught she is when Marianne invites him to a neighborhood BBQ.
John is a former SEAL, now an agent with Homeland Security. He is moving away from field work and settling into a desk job and a home in the suburbs. He has just one last assignment to finish, then he can put the dangerous part of his life behind him. Life is sure looking good as Erin is sure a nice surprise as his new neighbor.
Unfortunately, the his last assignment didn't end as well as it could have and the head of a gun running cartel escaped, but his wife was killed. Revenge is on the horizon for John and Erin is the target. 5-Stars
April 7, 2015
Loved it!
May 30, 2018
A quick and easy read with a bit of comic relief in a form of an octogenarian who was the cutest thing ever!
March 24, 2025
2.5⭐️
Trope:
Touch her & ☠️
Bodyguard
Instant love
I was really excited to read John’s book after glimpsing him as a character in the first of the series but I felt he was done dirty with this one.
I think for me, this one had the potential but the storyline wasn’t right for the short length of the book. I actually don’t mind instant love when it’s done well but for me this wasn’t it.
The danger plot I think needed more pages to really flesh it out instead of just being short moments brushed over within a few pages.
Overall a very fast paced book which made it an easy read but it fell flat for me. I enjoyed the read but wouldn’t necessarily recommend it.
Spice:
🌶️🌶️
Range & Rep:
Adult romance
Trope:
Touch her & ☠️
Bodyguard
Instant love
I was really excited to read John’s book after glimpsing him as a character in the first of the series but I felt he was done dirty with this one.
I think for me, this one had the potential but the storyline wasn’t right for the short length of the book. I actually don’t mind instant love when it’s done well but for me this wasn’t it.
The danger plot I think needed more pages to really flesh it out instead of just being short moments brushed over within a few pages.
Overall a very fast paced book which made it an easy read but it fell flat for me. I enjoyed the read but wouldn’t necessarily recommend it.
Spice:
🌶️🌶️
Range & Rep:
Adult romance
March 23, 2016
** 4.5 stars**
May 3, 2021
Upon finishing this book, my first thought was, "Where's the meat?" Now, after completing a steamy romance novel, that's not a bad first thought to have...if one isn't referring to the actual substance of the book. Bell's The Agent Next Door has a solid foundation for a plot--FBI agent moved to a desk job moves in across the street from a single woman with a secretive family past with the FBI. She becomes involved a botched mission that he is responsible for and he takes it upon himself to protect her. Over the course of the ensuing drama, the two characters fall madly in lust/love and overcome their tragic differences for a satisying happily ever after. Sounds like it has potential, right? Well, this felt like a waste of what could have been a solid contribution to the romance genre. The plot and character development were so wildly rushed and unbelievable that it was hard to root for either character. I anticipate that their love story will end faster than that of Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphfries. 2 stars for what could have been.
April 28, 2022
Full-figured beautiful girl with notorious criminal parents meets her new neighbor, former SEAL who now works for Department of Homeland Security. Meddling neighbor 82-year-old Marriane likes to play matchmaker and catch glimpses of John (whom she calls Muscles) with his shirt off. Erin is mistaken as John's lover about 2 days after he moves in and BANG.......the action starts. I really liked this one. I think most people will, unless insta-love is a pet peeve of yours.
Quotes:
“I don’t think she wants me around.”
Marianne waved her hand dismissively. “That’s because you’re an idiot. She was eyeballing you like a dog that hasn’t had a bone in a couple of years. And trust me, knowing Erin as well as I do, that’s probably a generous estimate.”
John frowned. Really? He couldn’t imagine a woman as lush as Erin lacking attention. “But—”
“No more buts,” Marianne said.
“Besides, even if I was interested. Everyone knows that men like him don’t go for big girls,” Erin said. “Real men don’t give a damn about what everyone knows,” a deep voice came from close behind her. “They make up their minds for themselves.”
“Told you,” Erin said, suddenly wishing that she had gone to get a beer before coming to socialize. “He’s not interested.”
“Sugar,” Stephanie chimed in. “If that’s the way John Ryman looks at a woman he’s not interested in, then he can ignore the hell out of me anytime he wants.”
“You’re afraid that I’m going to find fault with your body,” he said. “But it’s not going to happen, Erin. You’re perfect the way that you are.”
His love for her didn’t weaken him. It made him stronger. It gave him courage when reason refused. He understood her fear. He felt it too, but his shoulders were strong enough to carry the weight for both of them.
Quotes:
“I don’t think she wants me around.”
Marianne waved her hand dismissively. “That’s because you’re an idiot. She was eyeballing you like a dog that hasn’t had a bone in a couple of years. And trust me, knowing Erin as well as I do, that’s probably a generous estimate.”
John frowned. Really? He couldn’t imagine a woman as lush as Erin lacking attention. “But—”
“No more buts,” Marianne said.
“Besides, even if I was interested. Everyone knows that men like him don’t go for big girls,” Erin said. “Real men don’t give a damn about what everyone knows,” a deep voice came from close behind her. “They make up their minds for themselves.”
“Told you,” Erin said, suddenly wishing that she had gone to get a beer before coming to socialize. “He’s not interested.”
“Sugar,” Stephanie chimed in. “If that’s the way John Ryman looks at a woman he’s not interested in, then he can ignore the hell out of me anytime he wants.”
“You’re afraid that I’m going to find fault with your body,” he said. “But it’s not going to happen, Erin. You’re perfect the way that you are.”
His love for her didn’t weaken him. It made him stronger. It gave him courage when reason refused. He understood her fear. He felt it too, but his shoulders were strong enough to carry the weight for both of them.
March 2, 2016
Fantastic series!
Action, suspense, great characters, a touch of humor . . . What more could you ask for, right? In this story, John Ryman, whom we met in the last book, is no longer a field agent. He's taken a desk job with The Department of Homeland Security. He decided he was done dodging bullets and was ready to settle down. So when he meets his new neighbor, Erin Holliday, he's more than a little interested.
John isn't the only one with violence in his past. EriN's father was the leader of a well-known biker gang who was killed in a shootout with the FBI and her mother is in prison for their criminal activities. While Erin visits her mother regularly, she's done her best to live her life differently, respectably, which is why John is the last person she should get involved with. Instead, she lets her elderly neighbor and friend, Marianne, talk her into taking John to their yearly barbecue.
The next thing she knows her house is blown to smithereens, almost taking her with it, and she finds herself living with John under his protection. Thanks to an op gone bad where the villian's wife was killed, Erin's become a target in a plot to exact revenge on John.
This story was a wonderful romance but also contained all the elements of action and suspense you'd expect in this type of book. John was all alpha male, intent on protecting his woman but although Erin appeared weak and vulnerable at first, she quickly came to realize her mother was right. She was strong when she had to be and when her friends are threatened, she gives her all to make sure nothing happens,even if it means sacrificing herself in the process. Truly entertaining. Definitely plan on reading the next in the series.
Action, suspense, great characters, a touch of humor . . . What more could you ask for, right? In this story, John Ryman, whom we met in the last book, is no longer a field agent. He's taken a desk job with The Department of Homeland Security. He decided he was done dodging bullets and was ready to settle down. So when he meets his new neighbor, Erin Holliday, he's more than a little interested.
John isn't the only one with violence in his past. EriN's father was the leader of a well-known biker gang who was killed in a shootout with the FBI and her mother is in prison for their criminal activities. While Erin visits her mother regularly, she's done her best to live her life differently, respectably, which is why John is the last person she should get involved with. Instead, she lets her elderly neighbor and friend, Marianne, talk her into taking John to their yearly barbecue.
The next thing she knows her house is blown to smithereens, almost taking her with it, and she finds herself living with John under his protection. Thanks to an op gone bad where the villian's wife was killed, Erin's become a target in a plot to exact revenge on John.
This story was a wonderful romance but also contained all the elements of action and suspense you'd expect in this type of book. John was all alpha male, intent on protecting his woman but although Erin appeared weak and vulnerable at first, she quickly came to realize her mother was right. She was strong when she had to be and when her friends are threatened, she gives her all to make sure nothing happens,even if it means sacrificing herself in the process. Truly entertaining. Definitely plan on reading the next in the series.
September 28, 2014
Even better than the first part.
This was also a quite quick read - the only not so good thing to say about it.
I liked the main characters in this book even more than in the first installment. John, the silent and strong guy with the sparse and dry sense of humor. And Erin, vulnerable, but with some spine. When the drama and the bad guys show up, she shows some strength even if she panics inside.
I liked their interaction a lot - it was again a love story where physical perfection was not the main selling point of the heroine and I really really like how this played out. In John's eyes Erin's is beautiful and desirable, no matter what her looks might be "in reality".
Marianne, the 82-year old, nosy friend and neighbor got a little on my nerves, but the rest was so well done, that I didn't mind.
I am pretty sure the next installment will feature hot FBI Agend Ty Brannigan - can't wait!
This was also a quite quick read - the only not so good thing to say about it.
I liked the main characters in this book even more than in the first installment. John, the silent and strong guy with the sparse and dry sense of humor. And Erin, vulnerable, but with some spine. When the drama and the bad guys show up, she shows some strength even if she panics inside.
I liked their interaction a lot - it was again a love story where physical perfection was not the main selling point of the heroine and I really really like how this played out. In John's eyes Erin's is beautiful and desirable, no matter what her looks might be "in reality".
Marianne, the 82-year old, nosy friend and neighbor got a little on my nerves, but the rest was so well done, that I didn't mind.
I am pretty sure the next installment will feature hot FBI Agend Ty Brannigan - can't wait!
March 22, 2017
John Ryman has been moved to a desk job at Homeland Security and has a new house and neighbourhood to go with it. Moving day he meets his neighbour Erin and her aged friend Marianne. Erin is a little reticent on meeting him. She’s spent a lot of her life aware of and trying to avoid obvious law enforcement people.
John wonders why, and he’s already attracted to Erin’s fuller figure.
When an op goes wrong overnight he gets home early in the morning and is invited in for coffee with Erin. He goes and it seals their fate.
In the op, the target’s wife was killed. He escaped and he wants revenge. Erin looks like John’s lover as they arrange to meet again later.
So there’s a bomb on her doorstep that night.
John shouts at her to drop the box, and she throws it inside her house.
Now, she is living with him, and really might be his lover.
***
I read that part and kept wondering how in the hell Kallus found Erin so fast. I didn’t get that the compound was in the US and forty miles from where John was overseeing the op. My mistake. Homeland Security would be working in the US. [Duh, AM.] As I said it’s my error but it had me questioning everything so I wasn’t as pulled into the story as I might have been.
Erin works with computers but doesn’t touch one in a week. And is remarkably un-fazed given her house blew up and her work computers, too.
People going down in a blaze of gunfire glory happened more than once. [guess it does in the US, eh?]
But it was a quick read.
John has made a huge dent in Erin’s life, and Erin has totally derailed his. So he isn’t going to be letting her go.
This was in a boxed set, but can be read as a standalone.
3 stars
John wonders why, and he’s already attracted to Erin’s fuller figure.
When an op goes wrong overnight he gets home early in the morning and is invited in for coffee with Erin. He goes and it seals their fate.
In the op, the target’s wife was killed. He escaped and he wants revenge. Erin looks like John’s lover as they arrange to meet again later.
So there’s a bomb on her doorstep that night.
John shouts at her to drop the box, and she throws it inside her house.
Now, she is living with him, and really might be his lover.
***
Heading the mission to bring down the Mustaar, an Estonian-based gun trafficking organization, had been John’s first real assignment in his new position. He’d infiltrated the Mustaar with a couple of hand-picked agents, an elite team trained for this kind of intense deep-cover mission. For weeks all had been going well. Until last night. One of his men had his cover blown, and, Hendrik Kallus, the head of the Mustaar had taken it upon himself to torture the agent—his agent—until the man broke and gave up the identity of his partner. (Kindle Locations 3116-3120).
I read that part and kept wondering how in the hell Kallus found Erin so fast. I didn’t get that the compound was in the US and forty miles from where John was overseeing the op. My mistake. Homeland Security would be working in the US. [Duh, AM.] As I said it’s my error but it had me questioning everything so I wasn’t as pulled into the story as I might have been.
Erin works with computers but doesn’t touch one in a week. And is remarkably un-fazed given her house blew up and her work computers, too.
People going down in a blaze of gunfire glory happened more than once. [guess it does in the US, eh?]
But it was a quick read.
John has made a huge dent in Erin’s life, and Erin has totally derailed his. So he isn’t going to be letting her go.
This was in a boxed set, but can be read as a standalone.
3 stars
May 29, 2017
Like the first in the series, it's an enjoyable book. Nothing extraordinary, but well written, has fun characters, and it passes quickly. I had some issues with the suspense story line. The bad guy is pissed at John because his wife was killed in a raid that he was organizing. But, how did this guy even know about John specifically? Why go for him and none of the other guys who were part of the raid? John wasn't even there, he had been at his desk with headphones on helping direct the team and that same night, the villain's goons were already following him home? Wouldn't he be more interested in torturing the guy who actually pulled the trigger on his wife? I also thought the FBI was kinda dumb not to realize the trap that had been set towards the end. Even *I* could tell as soon as the event came up.
Those things keep me from giving the story more stars, but the romance plot was entertaining, even if, like the first book, it simply happened way too fast. It was sort of the same rehash from the previous book. "Heavier" (at least by her own description) girl falls in love with drop dead gorgeous muscle-bound ex-military guy who works from Homeland Security. Ok. Can we get something different, please?
Regardless, I would recommend the read if you're looking for a fun romance to pass the time.
Those things keep me from giving the story more stars, but the romance plot was entertaining, even if, like the first book, it simply happened way too fast. It was sort of the same rehash from the previous book. "Heavier" (at least by her own description) girl falls in love with drop dead gorgeous muscle-bound ex-military guy who works from Homeland Security. Ok. Can we get something different, please?
Regardless, I would recommend the read if you're looking for a fun romance to pass the time.
July 19, 2019
This is the second in the Second Service series. I liked the first (complimentary) one in the series so much I purchased this one and the next two. We met John, Alex's SEAL comrade, in book one. In this book John decides it's time to settle in a house of his own. No sooner than he moves in, he meets neighbor Erin who becomes the target of a vengeful criminal John is searching for. Erin has issues of her own, being the daughter of a slain mob boss and an imprisoned mother. There is adventure, humor and romance as in book one but book one remains my favorite. As you read this one, you realize that book three will be another SEAL buddy Ty's story. Ty appears in this story as an FBI agent in charge of protecting John and Erin.
December 18, 2021
This was an okay read, although things move much too fast for my liking. But I guess they have to, considering the fact that it's a rather short book.
I'm not a huge fan of main characters making plain stupid decisions for the sake of the plot, but other than that Erin seemed level-headed and sensible, and I liked her. I didn't really feel John. He didn't get enough "screen time" for me to get to know him. I did love Marianne, though.
The book would've benefited from another round of editing and proofreading. There were A LOT of errors. Typing errors, missing words, extra words, etc. It killed the flow for me.
I'm not a huge fan of main characters making plain stupid decisions for the sake of the plot, but other than that Erin seemed level-headed and sensible, and I liked her. I didn't really feel John. He didn't get enough "screen time" for me to get to know him. I did love Marianne, though.
The book would've benefited from another round of editing and proofreading. There were A LOT of errors. Typing errors, missing words, extra words, etc. It killed the flow for me.
September 17, 2023
TMI intimate details bit of language
Great story line yet again, excellent characters, relatable, you fell like part of what's going on and a lot was going on. Not rushed not drug out. My only beef is no epilogue to show how life is months or weeks, even years down the road. They resolve the conflict and that's it, they're together, the end. Hoped next book would give up what previous book characters were doing but nope just mentions them.
Great story line yet again, excellent characters, relatable, you fell like part of what's going on and a lot was going on. Not rushed not drug out. My only beef is no epilogue to show how life is months or weeks, even years down the road. They resolve the conflict and that's it, they're together, the end. Hoped next book would give up what previous book characters were doing but nope just mentions them.
April 5, 2020
Seeing stars
A really fun and exciting book! I had already fallen for John after reading "The Wedding Trap" so a story spun around his life captured me. I loved all the characters, excluding the terrorist, though he was written to be a classic bad guy. Erin was amazingly well adjusted after living through her childhood and now I'm looking forward to Ty's story.
A really fun and exciting book! I had already fallen for John after reading "The Wedding Trap" so a story spun around his life captured me. I loved all the characters, excluding the terrorist, though he was written to be a classic bad guy. Erin was amazingly well adjusted after living through her childhood and now I'm looking forward to Ty's story.
January 18, 2019
Page turner.
I was quite entertained. The plot was good. It was fast moving and not boring There were some dead places where the author filled in unnecessary wordiness. But, over all I enjoyed reading this story.
I was quite entertained. The plot was good. It was fast moving and not boring There were some dead places where the author filled in unnecessary wordiness. But, over all I enjoyed reading this story.
April 24, 2021
Actually more the length and character development of a novella and not a book, with a mostly insta-lust driving motive. Nice concepts and characters, but they didn't spend enough time together getting to know each other to make me feel the establishment of a real loving relationship.
October 23, 2021
Just like book 1, the story is engaging. I got into it without any expectations, but then I couldn't stop reading. Love the characters, the suspense, the romance. I really think these books deserve better covers. Just saying.
October 14, 2022
The Agent Next Door (Second Service, Book 2)
The love story of Erin and John. Erin's home is blown up and John help to protector her. Can John find the person who is trying to kill her? Can Erin stop herself from falling in love with John? Great story.
The love story of Erin and John. Erin's home is blown up and John help to protector her. Can John find the person who is trying to kill her? Can Erin stop herself from falling in love with John? Great story.
December 6, 2017
This is my first series with this author and I love it I will probably read all of her books before I am done
June 9, 2018
3.5 overall stars 🌟🌟🌟💫
Couple 3.5🌟🌟🌟💫
Plot 3.5🌟🌟🌟💫
Story 3.5🌟🌟🌟💫
Sex 3.0🌟🌟🌟
Series 3.75🌟🌟🌟⭐️
Couple 3.5🌟🌟🌟💫
Plot 3.5🌟🌟🌟💫
Story 3.5🌟🌟🌟💫
Sex 3.0🌟🌟🌟
Series 3.75🌟🌟🌟⭐️
July 10, 2019
I think I enjoyed it while I was reading it, but I only finished it the day before yesterday and I’ve already forgotten what it was about so obviously didn’t make that much of an impression 🤷🏻♀️
July 16, 2019
2.5 stars
Decent, quick romantic suspense.
Decent, quick romantic suspense.
August 3, 2020
Wonderful
I loved the story of Erin and John He fell in love without realizing it.It had the right amount of suspense and action ,couldn't put it down.
I loved the story of Erin and John He fell in love without realizing it.It had the right amount of suspense and action ,couldn't put it down.
September 20, 2020
4 Stars
Good romantic suspense. Some twists and turns. I felt the romantic part of the story could have been a little more in depth, it seemed a little rushed!!
Good romantic suspense. Some twists and turns. I felt the romantic part of the story could have been a little more in depth, it seemed a little rushed!!
November 15, 2020
Cute! Could’ve used a little more “getting to know you” conversations.
October 18, 2021
Very fast pace made for a quick read. Really liked Erin's depth as a character. Wouldn't mind a story about her outlaw parents.
January 19, 2022
2 and 1/2
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