Faking It With the Scarred SEAL: An Enemies-to-Lovers Small-Town Romance

by Connie Blake

Henry Walker is a SEAL with scars deeper than the ocean, and now he's my fake fiancé.

Life as a Manhattan ER doctor was all about control—until a gang targeting me for a mysterious flash drive turned my world upside down.

Now I'm hiding in Harmony Springs, pretending to be engaged to a man whose life is all about the violence I've always feared.

But beneath his rough exterior, Henry is surprisingly tender. His unexpected kindness and moments of vulnerability make it hard to remember why I hated him.

As we share whispered confessions and stolen kisses, his strong arms don't just protect me; they pull me closer, making my heart race and my doubts fade.

Just when I start to fall for him, my ex exposes our fake relationship, thrusting us back into the path of danger.

With my secret out, and my life on the line, will Henry's protection be enough, or will my past finally catch up to me?

263 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 7, 2025

Reviews

[Sheila M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emily is an ER doctor on the run from a gang that mistakenly believes she has their flash drive. Emily is saved by Detective Grant, who then sends her to the small town of Harmony Springs to hide. Emily’s “hero-slash-bodyguard” is Henry, a SEAL who doesn’t give off welcoming vibes when they meet. Their meeting was one of my favorite parts of the story. The author’s descriptive prose is so good you feel like you are in the moment with the characters. It is together scary and funny with both having their own reasons for being wary of the other. Both have emotional scars they need to work through as their relationship progresses.

I loved this book. It was a well-written, captivating suspense story that includes lots of emotions, spicy adult time, workplace and family drama, betrayal, revenge, redemption, and more than anything else, love. I enjoyed this book and stayed up late into the night reading, I just had to finish the book to see how it ends. p.s. it has a great ending! I definitely recommend this book.

[Trina Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH WOW this was a steamy page turner and the suspense was so intense. I was on the edge of my seat and I couldn’t even put it down. Now Emily was an ER doctor who saved life but was on the run from a gang that mistakenly believes she had stolen their flash drive. So Emily had to be saved by Detective Grant, who then sends her to the small town of Harmony Springs to hide. He was Emily’s amazing hero bodyguard named Henry. It was a captivating but romance and danger moment. Fighting the temptation was spicy enough and the physical tension was intense and passionate of emotions and drama.
I definitely recommend this book and you won’t be disappointed. I received advance copy of this book via Bookfunnel and am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion. Trina Jones

[Tesh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good story. Suspense and dramatic.

Dr Emily was in trouble after seeing something she shouldn't and needed protecting, when seal Henry Walker gets asked to help.

This relationship is filled with friction and sass from start to finish. The danger is always present but it's the relationship that being the tension. These two have the chemistry but they don't really know what to do with it, finding it hard to get out of their own way. Finally getting themselves sorted.

Well done but room for improvement. I look forward to more from this author.

[KaHill525 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars ⭐️

The storyline is good and I enjoyed it, but there were some issues. Some scenes were repetitive and there seemed to be some confusion with the timeline and even the characters. At one point Grace called Sarah her mom and another time she said Aunt Sarah. At one point Henry said Emily was asleep on the couch and a few paragraphs later he slipped into bed with her. I did enjoy the overall storyline though.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What happens when suddenly your world is turned upside-down and dangerous people are looking for you. This is what happens to Emily and she suddenly finds herself fake engaged to the grumpiest man she's ever met. Now in a small-town where everyone knows your business she has to convince them her relationship is real. Now helping the towns hospital improve its services she at least has an escape. Henry just wants to be redeployed instead he's assigned to protect Emily, but he knows she hates him. This is one of those books that once you start reading you won't want to put it down. The chemistry between them is instant but both have underlying issues that make them deny them. Can Henry keep her safe. Will Emily's past catch up with her. Can she breakdown Henry's well build walls. I enjoyed everything from the noisy townsfolk to Grace Henry's niece who's sweet and cunning at the same time. This is definitely a book you won't want to miss reading so add to your tbr list. I can't wait to read what's next from Connie

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

the tension between the characters is good! they both don't really know how to express their feelings to one another . their is a couple mixed up parts of the book, couple repetitive spots but other then that it is written well! . Henry the grumpy man can't help but fall for the scared women Emily. Emily can't help but feel safe and secure with Henry.

[Cynthia Squiabro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well Done

This book was a very pleasant surprise. Emily and Henry meet when she needs protection from a ruthless gang. Henry’s a hardened Seal who doesn’t believe love is for him until Emily. Her ex finds her and does everything he can to make things difficult for Emily and Henry. He almost succeeds but love always wins. Very well written. Happy Reading.

[Katrina Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good but somewhat predictable!

[Aerar Wolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun to read.. Hard to put down... No boring chapters. Hate turned to love... 🥰🥰

My first book from Connie Blake. And I enjoyed it too much...

This is highly recommended.