The Ranger

Black Hawke Security #5

by Juliette N. Banks

Ah yes, I’ve been busted. She outed me in front of my colleagues. A SEAL, a Marine, and a Green Beret. My name is Cole, and as an Army Ranger I hold my own… but apparently not with this green-eyed, smart-mouthed girl.

It was supposed to just be one night - it was just one night - until she rocked on up in the middle of our god damn top-secret meeting and demanded to speak to me. Then tore my world apart.

Except I was wrong.

That wasn’t the moment. It was when someone took her from me—once I’d decided she was mine. Now I’m going to tear this world apart to get her back.

God save the people who took her. Actually, I hope he doesn’t.

THE RANGER is a steamy second chance love, military romance with spice and tons of suspense and action. If you love former military and special ops alphas who fall for sassy heroines, then you’ll love the Black Hawke Security series. Each book can be read as a standalone and has a happy ever after.


For readers who’ve enjoyed military romances by Susan Stoker, Anna Hackett, Cora Seton, Sybil Bartel and Rebecca Yarros.

Genres: Military Fiction, Contemporary Romance

291 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 30, 2025

About the author

Juliette N. Banks is a romance author who has taken the genre by storm with her steamy contemporary (mafia and billionaire) and paranormal romances.

If you're looking for sexy books with alpha heroes you'll fall in love with, then grab one of Juliette's free books and adopt a new book boyfriend today!

Juliette has a vast background in consumer marketing and was previously published with Random House. She lives in New Zealand with Tilly, her Maine Coon kitty, and travels frequently.

Reviews

[Kim Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

😩🤦🏻‍♀️ I’m bummed this didn’t turn out to be what I was expecting. I’ve been waiting for this next installment for a while and then now that it’s come out and I’ve finished it, I’m dumbstruck. Juliette went in a different direction with this one in the way the characters had their thoughts. It felt like it was trying to be a comedy in a stressful situation. I could visualize the scenes as I read them and don’t know why she went in the direction of not taking anything seriously. There was no intensity, really emotional moments or even vulnerability with either of them. It was a fight with Scarlett the entire time, nobody was getting through to her, not us as readers or Cole. It was another exhausting book where it was a constant fight between Cole and Scarlett. I struggled to get into it because Scarlett wasn’t opening up, we essentially had no idea what her dreams or family was like, just snippets through time. I felt like I got more vulnerability with Cole in this one, and even that wasn’t enough either. He also kept pushing her away and holding her at arms length, but at least he showed some weaknesses with her when he let his guard down here and there, unlike Scarlett who showed nothing. Just when you think you’ll get a glimpse of Scarlett when she isn’t verbally sparring with Cole, she closes right back up. I’m usually fine with back and forth banter if it’s entertaining and something comes out of it but in this case, nothing really did until the end. Even when Scarlett was kidnapped, and Cole saves her and she winds up in the hospital, she was still sparring and fighting with him, pushing him away once more. Enough was enough! I just couldn’t stand it. On top of that, there was uncertainty and assumption between both Scarlett and Cole the entire time. I blame both of them for that, but I also think Cole was just feeding Scarlett’s reactions and acting the same way she was because the poor guy couldn’t get a read on her, even though he was messing with her feelings too. It just felt really messy and annoying. It wasn’t until she was in danger that Cole finally got his head out of his ass and wanted to do something about his growing feelings instead of pushing them down and retreating. This was also when Scarlett admitted she felt something for him as well. I hate how the characters don’t realize their true feelings unless it’s in times of stress. How do we know that what they are feeling is real and not out of high stakes and emotion? To top it off, I didn’t like how we just jump into Scarlett being pregnant at the start of the book. Sure you get the prologue for the first time Cole sees her and wants her, followed by when they actually sleep together but that whole scene was left out. Instead, you get Cole’s recount of it but that’s it. I felt like that was too quick of an intro then we just jump into her finding Cole and she’s pregnant. The only part I did find entertaining in the book, hence the 3 rating, was the action. I liked the side story and situation Cole found himself in and dismantling a mole in a national security threat. This was more exciting than the sex, and Scarlett and Cole’s relationship. I enjoyed that aspect much more and could get into that. In fact, it was during that time I found myself flying through the chapters, anything relating to Cole and Scarlett I couldn’t get into and was rolling my eyes about. Then I find that the newbie that gets hired for the Black Hawke Security team in this story will be the feature in the next book and it will be none other than a second chance romance. I am visibly groaning about this because I wanted a new story with a new heroine but I guess that will have to wait, unless Juliette does something different with it and makes it fresh. I’m not that excited about it but I’ll still read it, because I like this world, and aside from this one, the other books have been pretty good.

[Joanne Barton · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Ranger” is the fifth book in the “Black Hawke Security Series.” It is a steamy second chance love, military romance with spice and tons of suspense and action. If you love former military and special ops alphas who fall for sassy heroines, then you’ll love the Black Hawke Security series.

“Scarlett Walton is not someone you can control. She’s wild and hot in the way that Mad Dog sauce is; she’ll burn you from the inside out like a goddamn volcano. This sassy witch has held my attention since the moment I walked in….”

A thoroughly enjoyable read from one chapter to the next - at times you are metaphorical “on the edge of your chair” wondering what will happen next. You will fall in love with Cole and Scarlett, hoping that everything with work out for them and if they have a future together. The sexual tension starts from the moment they meet and only gets stronger - it is HOT. After a one night stand, Scarlett discovers that she is pregnant and Cole is the father. Cole is an ex Army Ranger that is use to controlling his emotions, but around Scarlett……will he let the barrier come down and let her into his heart? Scarlett has her own issues that scare her, about being hurt, being let down….but will she allow Cole into her heart, for them to be a family….together.

To be quite honest, you will not be able to put this book down - I cannot wait for the next book in this series. Overall, I would highly recommend this book and you will not be disappointed 😊

[Mariaan Belinfante · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating, yet frustrating, filled with piping hot chemistry. A wild night of passion went boom 4 months later when a pregnant Scarlett stormed into a BHS meeting. The start of a lust and kind of hate relationship. Their childhood baggage is a huge drawback to over come being unable to share their insecurities. Her kidnapping is a wake up call to face their feelings, add in the birth of their child, but they took their sweet time. I felt like giving them a good shake each or banging their heads. Plus I'm not going to say fluffing lol. The new team member Josh hired, is non other than the US Marshall Cole don't have time for, but surprise, surprise, Jake is his sister Caylee's ex. One HEA for Scarlett and Cole finally, now we wait to see the dynamics of what will be a second chance love coming up. Juliette is known for her little surprises/twists, keeping her readers in the dark and chewing nails or clutching their pearls

[Neena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cole Zimbardo (age 33) was an army ranger. Coming from a divorced family he never wanted to get married or have kids.
Scarlet Walton is Cassy’s best friend and works in hair salon. She is known to be the strange and outspoken one. She also had a bad childhood with a neglectful single Mom, so having a baby was not on the agenda.

A one night stand leads to a surprise pregnancy that none wanted but also embraced. Both have a lot of parental baggage so co-parenting seems to be the way to go. Cole really steps up and it’s easy to fall in love with him and how he cares and protects Scarlet and the baby. Scarlet is too stubborn and defensive to be a likable character. She wants a relationship but hasn’t done anything that would make Cole want her. I mean there’s not one scene where she puts him first or takes care of him.

Their banter is like riding a rollercoaster as the two of them find their way to their happy ever after.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cole and Scarlet have had chemistry from the start but it is one thing Juliette nails every time. You will laugh. You will cry. Hell you may even want to throw something but most of all you will fall in love with this love story. Two people afraid to face and admit feelings that are so obvious to everyone else will give you all the feels. I’m not a cryer by nature but Juliette got me with this one line “And honestly, I’m tired of being strong.” Hit way to close to home and made me tear up a little. But Coley-Moley, just might be my favorite nickname ever! I laughed so hard people were looking at me. And his love of rainbows takes the cake! Read the book. You won’t regret it.

[Michelle Alleyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this next installment and I’m looking forward to the next one! Cole and Scarlett are fire 🔥 Their connection is off the chain hot and they go at each other throughout the story. Scarlett is a cute grouch who is so funny you just wanna make excuses for her. Cole on the other hand has more patience than Job! There’s suspense, drama and a whole lot of sexy scenes. This series is a hit!

[Christine Biesheuvel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cole and Scarlett
An unexpected pregnancy after an one-night-stand shook up their world, but both Cole and Scarlett vowed to do a better job than their own parents. The fire between them has not died, but they think that a real relationship is not in the books. Until fate interferes and they have to commit to their real feelings. Drawn into a theft of military secrets and a kidnapping love is the emotion that rises above everything else.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scarlett and Cole are perfect together ... they were just too thick headed to see it themselves!  

This story has everything you could want in a steamy romance. The hunky hero. The sassy female giving him a run for his money. Action, drama, and of course the best HEA. I am a bit sad I finished the book!  

[Jenn Mecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I seriously couldn’t wait to read The Ranger, all the little teasers Juliette made on her Facebook page and her newsletters!!! But oh my god, I absolutely loved Cole and Scarlet’s story! The banter, the sexiness, the BHS team knowing all along that they were it for each other 😍 I haven’t found a Black Hawke Security book that I didn’t love and devour!! Can’t wait for The Marshal! 😍❤️🥰

[Maureen Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another steamy romance from Juliette Banks.

Cole plays it cool for way too long. Scarlette is just as stubborn and a bad ass attitude. Juliette has portrayed them as a single mom and an outcast father. Scarlette can do this on her own. She leaves you with a game they both play but you know she is always right. Excellent Black Hawke Security romance.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cole and Scarlett have so much chemistry between them it gave me hot flashes. The angst between them  had me laughing, crying, getting mad at them so much that I had to stop myself from throwing my tablet. They also has so many tender moments that it brought me to tears. This book has it all!

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books was panty melting hot hot hot. The chemistry between the two characters has long been building and when it finally blew it blew in HUGE ways. They are both faced with change and it was so beautiful to watch their love unfold. Such an amazing read.

[Heather Brown- maddox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books was panty melting hot hot hot. The chemistry between the two characters has long been building and when it finally blew it blew in HUGE ways. They are both faced with change and it was so beautiful to watch their love unfold. Such an amazing read.

[Terri Dye · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love when a books action has my heart pumping as I'm flying through the pages. Then for the main characters to have chemistry that keeps my heart pumping for other reasons?! Haha, yeah, this will definitely be one I read multiple times!

[Jenny MacLarty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cole is head over heels for Scarlet. It gives you all the feels & makes you smile! If you’re looking for a good read, with family, friends & happy ending this is your book.

[Kaity · Rating 5 out of 5]

oh my gawwwdddd ;pppp