Instinct & New Identity

Ranger Shield Security #2

by Allison Bettes

Catalina "Cat" Rivera’s life is upended after a gas station robbery claims her parents’ lives and forces her and her younger sister into Witness Protection. Seven years later, the quiet life Cat has worked hard to build is shattered when Vince Fletcher, her former military pen pal, tracks her down. Once bound by letters exchanged during Vince’s deployment, their connection reignites. But Vince’s arrival stirs up more than memories—it threatens to unravel the safety net Cat has carefully constructed. While Vince offers protection and an opportunity for a fresh start with his Georgia-based security firm, Cat must confront her lingering fear, unresolved grief, and burgeoning feelings for the man who never forgot her. As past and present collide, Cat and Vince navigate old dangers and new emotions. Together, they face not only the potential exposure of Cat’s hidden identity but also a new threat from a target neither of them ever considered. While navigating a world where trust is a perilous choice, Cat must decide whether Vince can have a place in her life as she faces the looming threats to herself and her sister.

Genres: Military Fiction, Forced Proximity

358 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 6, 2025

About the author

Romantic Suspense Author

My books are a thrilling blend of romance, mystery, and suspense — think Cupid Meets Crime Scene.

My journey into the world of romance and suspense started when my grandma handed me her well-worn copies of Danielle Steel and Nora Roberts novels — I was hooked.

My day job is a scientist, but I'm also a mom to both 2-legged and 4-legged children.

Reviews

[Cecilia de Alvarado · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second time I'm reading a book of the Ranger Shield Security series and I can honestly say that Allison has done it again!!! The perfect ratio between love, spice and everything true crime!

This is the story of Cat and Vince, and I am not able to tell you much without spoiling it for you but this book hits the ground running and keeps you on that high until the very end.

Cat and Vince's sweet romance and how perfect their chemistry is will have you pinning for things to be alright every single second with all the twists and turns that they will be facing.

And as always, the most lovable secondary characters that hint to future stories to come (Book 3 is on the way!) that you just can't help to love and enjoy, I swear they make you pour through the pages and keep you engaged at all times!

I'm telling you, waiting for these books (we have book 3 and 4 coming up) is going to be harder for me than when I waited for Onyx Storm 🤣🤣🤣

So if you want an explosive combination between sweet romance, spice (🌶🌶) and suspense with a bit of Taylor Swift in the mix, and perhaps the cutest cat that ever existed, go read Instinct and New Identity!

[Leslie Blair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 of the Ranger Shield Security series was just as amazing as the first! I loved everything about Cat and Vince.

Cat has spent years on the run with her sister after being in the wrong place at the wrong time. They couldn’t afford to stay in one place for too long. Her military pen pal, Vince, managed to track her down and became determined to be the one who kept her safe. However, Vince appearing in her life brings danger to both of them.

There were many twists and turns in this story that kept me guessing. I loved the connection Vince and Cat had from the beginning. Cat was this strong independent woman who was a bit of a control freak. Her life was upended at a young age so it really was no wonder she was this way. I loved how protective Vince was with Cat. It was so great seeing the rest of the Ranger Shield guys and girls band together to help them. I cannot wait for the next book!

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is book two in the Ranger Shields Security series, and while I still love the strong found family dynamic carried over from book one, the story felt a bit too predictable with similar pacing in both the romance and suspense. I did enjoy Vince and Cat’s easy banter and their unique pen pal connection, though the nicknames started to wear on me. The book moves quickly and is an easy weekend read, but I found myself wishing for more intensity in both the suspense and the love story.

2.75 rounded up

[Andie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 2 in the Ranger Shield series and I loved it, even more than the first! All of the characters I loved from book 1 make an appearance, but book two focuses on FMC Cat and her studly military pen pal Vince.

Cat and her sister Val had a rough life, losing their parents to gang violence, but after reconnecting with Cat’s long lost pen pal Vince, life just gets better.

This book is short, sweet, endearing, puts you a bit on edge, spicy, and has a great ending!

This book is available on all major platforms on May 6, 2025!

4.5/5⭐️ 2.5/5🌶️

[Sabrina Mordini · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was a thrilling ride from start to finish! Full of suspense and heart, Instinct and New Identities pulls you in with a sense of safety and calm—but that doesn't last long. As the tension builds and danger creeps closer, you're left guessing and second-guessing everything you thought you knew.

Cat and Vince reconnect after seven years apart, and while their chemistry ignites fast, the romance never feels rushed or forced. I really appreciated how their relationship grows beyond the immediate danger. Yes, Vince might be the protector figure, and Cat is technically the one in danger—but their bond develops through shared moments, not just adrenaline. That balance made their love story feel all the more authentic.

I loved Cat’s sass and her proud Latina heritage—it brought richness and personality to her character. Her sister Val is a total powerhouse and offers the perfect counterweight to the more intense scenes with her sharp wit and strong presence. And Vince? Sweet, steady, and totally swoon-worthy (and hot, to boot!).

The pacing of the story was spot on. The action ramps up at just the right time, but we also get those slower, emotional beats where the characters can truly connect. Allison Bettes really nails the thriller aspect without ever letting the romance take a backseat. The misdirections were so well done—I genuinely didn’t know who was in danger or where the threat was coming from until nearly the end.

Though this is book two in the series, it works perfectly as a standalone. The entire gang from Betrayals and New Beginnings makes an appearance, along with some fresh new faces, but there are no spoilers if you haven’t read book one yet.

If you're looking for a romantic suspense that keeps you hooked while also giving you all the feels, this one’s a must-read!

[Caitlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I was not excepting the twists and turns that made up this book! Allison has a way of keeping you on your toes, and when you think you have it figured out, news flash, you don’t!

Vince and Cat were military pen pals seven years ago, and fate brings them back together again. He is the calm to her overthinking. And she is the love that he deserves.

I love a good found family trope, and this one is done so incredibly well! Not only do Cat and Val have the security team, Ruthie and Tammy, but they also have Vince’s family and they so deserve a big family!

While this is book 2 in this series, you can read it as a standalone. I highly recommend you don’t, because book 1 is just as good as book 2!

You will fall in love with Vince and Cat if you like
👙 Friends to Lovers
👙 Forced Proximity
👙 Second Chance
👙 Military Pen Pals

[dani collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I could explain to yall the way I was laying in my bed GRASPING for clues THIS ENTIRE BOOK. First off starting the book with their cute pen pal letters then BOOM PARENTS DEAD. I WAS LIKE WELL FUCK ME. Let me tell you something I ate this book up and down AND I FIGURED OUT THE PLOT TWIST THIS BOOK. I’ve never been so happy reading something kicking my feet for two people to be reunited after so many years OOF. GOD I LOVE A MAN THATS BEEN A SIMP FOR A WOMAN FOR YEARS EVEN AFTER A DISCONNECT LIKE YEAH YOURE WORTH IT ALL POOKIE

[Donna Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love love loved this one!!
You can read it before or after book one and it won’t give too much away!! You get to revisit characters you already know from the first book, meet new ones and dive into more interesting backgrounds of lesser familiar characters.
This story was less meet cute and more, long lost love reunited. The plot twist is that it’s not Cat’s past that puts them in danger but Vince’s, which is shocking since the books starts with him protecting her from threats following her and her sister.
A thrilling love story with a happy ending!!

[H · Rating 3 out of 5]

💭 I loved that Cat and Vince “knew” each other before, and we see that a bit in the prologue. Their connection was strong enough for Vince’s closest friends to know about her, which to me, aided in the building connection between these two. The suspense was enough to keep it engaging, without being overly obvious, just the right amount of predictability and newness. The story felt a little more plot focused versus character growth, which brought it down a bit for me. Some of the moments I’d loved to have sat in a bit more moved quickly.

Overall, an enjoyable read.

[Kristina M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book!!! I love the twists in this plot and storyline. Cat is an awesome over protective FMC .. it’s great how vulnerable this character was but yet how strong she was for her sister and for her love. She was fiercely protective of Val and Vince despite all the risks and scary stuff she had been through… she didn’t cower away. She stood tall guarding what she loved in this entire story . Very excited to read the next installment!!!

[BecReadReview · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute, adorable, frustrating, & laugh-out-loud funny—this book hits all the right notes. I absolutely loved the slow, sweet evolution of Vince and Cat’s friendship into something deeper. Banter & humor are spot-on, keeping things light even when emotions run high. The camaraderie and strong family bonds add warmth & heart to the story. Suspense lingers at the edges, never overpowering but always present, while the perfect balance of action & romance keeps you hooked.

[Samantha Carobine · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5

I loved how Cat and Vince knew each other prior to where we begin this story and how they find each other was cute too! For some reason, I liked book 1 a little more, but this one was still really good! Allison does a great job of making the love between characters feel real and more mature than we typically find in romance novels.

[Caitlin Kaiser · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the first book, but somehow I loved this one even more! Vince and Cat's backstory and how fate brought them back together was so sweet. I was on the edge of my seat from the start and couldn't put it down until I finished. This is a great summer read if you like romance mixed with suspense!

[MP · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read the first one and really enjoyed it so I decided to read the next one in the series. It did not disappoint. A lot of the same great characters come back but whole new plot and the twist at the end was great.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read! I loved the intriguing backstory to this fabulous thriller. The blossoming romance throughout adds even more depth to this book. Loved Book #1, but I think this one was even better!