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Downrange #1
Fixed Asset
From USA Today bestselling author Riley Edwards comes a steamy, action-packed romance where danger and desire fuel a high-stakes game neither party is prepared to lose.
Catarina Keys doesn’t play it safe—and to hell with anyone who gets in her way. A free agent now, she takes a risky mission in Honduras, delivering high-stakes intel to a woman with an ironclad reputation. Reckless? Absolutely. But the peril of her current situation isn’t all that’s on her mind. She’s dangerously preoccupied with burning thoughts of him.
After a successful op together last year in Vegas, ex-Navy SEAL Jack Donovan thought leaving Catarina behind was the right move. It wasn’t. Now she’s back in the line of fire, and he can’t decide whether to save or spank her delectable ass. But first, he vows to uncover her mission. And whoever’s behind it.
When their paths cross again, they realize they’re pawns in a much bigger game. Jack’s desperate to protect her, but Catarina won’t give up her freedom. As the heat intensifies, will they play by the rules…or risk losing it all?
Catarina Keys doesn’t play it safe—and to hell with anyone who gets in her way. A free agent now, she takes a risky mission in Honduras, delivering high-stakes intel to a woman with an ironclad reputation. Reckless? Absolutely. But the peril of her current situation isn’t all that’s on her mind. She’s dangerously preoccupied with burning thoughts of him.
After a successful op together last year in Vegas, ex-Navy SEAL Jack Donovan thought leaving Catarina behind was the right move. It wasn’t. Now she’s back in the line of fire, and he can’t decide whether to save or spank her delectable ass. But first, he vows to uncover her mission. And whoever’s behind it.
When their paths cross again, they realize they’re pawns in a much bigger game. Jack’s desperate to protect her, but Catarina won’t give up her freedom. As the heat intensifies, will they play by the rules…or risk losing it all?
251 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 4, 2025
756 people are currently reading
4418 people want to read
About the author
Riley Edwards
109 books2,680 followersRiley Edwards is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestselling author, wife, and military mom. Riley was born and raised in Los Angeles but now resides on the east coast with her fantastic husband and children.
Riley writes heart-stopping romance with sexy alpha heroes and even stronger heroines. Riley's favorite genres to write are romantic suspense and military romance.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 219 reviews
November 4, 2025
This book was my jam. Romantic suspense is one of my favorite tropes. The strong kick ass heroine is my favorite type of heroine. And the equally strong alpha male is my favorite type of hero. Add to the fact that once these two decided to give it a go, they didn’t mess around. I loved it and I’m looking forward to more in the series!
August 10, 2025
I can totally see the appeal of this book. Lots of action, CIA, violence, danger, and hot chemistry.
However, I will say the writing style left something to be desired as I personally felt it lacked depth. I wanted to feel more of a connection between the characters but felt like I was missing something personally.
Very fast paced read though, so I think this will appeal to a lot of readers.
Thank you to netgalley for this free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
However, I will say the writing style left something to be desired as I personally felt it lacked depth. I wanted to feel more of a connection between the characters but felt like I was missing something personally.
Very fast paced read though, so I think this will appeal to a lot of readers.
Thank you to netgalley for this free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 22, 2025
Fixed Asset by Riley Edwards kicks off a new romantic suspense series, but it follows characters who already appeared in one of her previous series.
Catarina and Jake have a complicated past, she’s a former CIA operative trying to rebuild her life, and he’s a protective and determined hero who’s never really let her go. When danger comes knocking again, they’re thrown back together, and sparks (and bullets) definitely fly.
Even though it’s the first book in this series, I felt pretty lost for most of the story because I hadn’t read the earlier books where these two first met. Their relationship has a lot of history that isn’t fully explained here, so I struggled to connect with them at times.
That said, Riley Edwards’ writing is solid, fast-paced, emotional, and full of action. I just wish the focus had balanced the suspense and romance a bit more, because the love story really took over.
I’ll still be picking up the next book in the series, though. Hopefully, now that the groundwork is laid, I won’t feel quite so lost next time!
𝑰 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒅𝒗𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒑𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒎𝒚 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒅 𝒓𝒆𝒇𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒔 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝑰 𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒍𝒚 𝒇𝒆𝒍𝒕 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒕!
Catarina and Jake have a complicated past, she’s a former CIA operative trying to rebuild her life, and he’s a protective and determined hero who’s never really let her go. When danger comes knocking again, they’re thrown back together, and sparks (and bullets) definitely fly.
Even though it’s the first book in this series, I felt pretty lost for most of the story because I hadn’t read the earlier books where these two first met. Their relationship has a lot of history that isn’t fully explained here, so I struggled to connect with them at times.
That said, Riley Edwards’ writing is solid, fast-paced, emotional, and full of action. I just wish the focus had balanced the suspense and romance a bit more, because the love story really took over.
I’ll still be picking up the next book in the series, though. Hopefully, now that the groundwork is laid, I won’t feel quite so lost next time!
𝑰 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒅𝒗𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒑𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒎𝒚 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒅 𝒓𝒆𝒇𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒔 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝑰 𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒍𝒚 𝒇𝒆𝒍𝒕 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒕!
August 9, 2025
loved it.
Any book by Riley is a fast paced, action packed with steamy romance read.
Breathtaking. great banter and all the heat
I've listened to a lot of. audio and they're brilliant productions.
This book is full of action, suspense and lots of tension that keeps you on page. literally you can't get enough of these two.
Kerry Kennedy Author
Any book by Riley is a fast paced, action packed with steamy romance read.
Breathtaking. great banter and all the heat
I've listened to a lot of. audio and they're brilliant productions.
This book is full of action, suspense and lots of tension that keeps you on page. literally you can't get enough of these two.
Kerry Kennedy Author
July 22, 2025
FIXED ASSET by RILEY EDWARDS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fixed Asset is the first (#1) book in the new ‘Downrange’ series.
Former SIOB agent Catarina Keys is on a CIA assignment in Hondorous when she is kidnapped off the street.
Former Takeback team member Jack Donovan is on a mission with his new team mates when he spots an old acquaintance, a woman he hasn’t seen in nine months. Nine months since they worked together to take down a scumbag and rescue trafficking victims before she disappeared off the face of the earth. Kidnapping her off the side of the road probably didn’t endear him to Catarina but he wasn’t about to leave her prey to the Honduran gangs.
When the pair realise they are looking for the same woman all be it for different reasons, they decide to join together. Jack is aware how careless Catarina can be with her own safety, how reckless and stubbornly goal focused she is. There’s no way he’s going to let her carry on with her assignment without backup whether she wants it or not.
There’s no denying the attraction that simmered between them back in Las Vegas all those months ago is still there, but Cat can’t let emotions get in the way of completing her mission. She has no choice but to try to keep her feelings locked down until this assignment is over and they can both go back to their own lives. There’s nothing wrong with a bit of harmless flirting though right?
-++-++-++-++-++-
We first met Jack & Cat in the final book of Riley’s ‘Takeback’ series ‘Dangerous Affair’, at the end of the book Cat just vanished before they could explore their mutual attraction. **It has to be said here that although we have met many of the characters in this book in previous series, this story is easily read without any previous knowledge**
FIXED ASSET starts off with adrenaline pumping, fast paced action which basically doesn’t slow down until the very end. The storyline entices you in and the pages turn themselves as you desperately need to know what will happen next.
There’s a constant hum of attraction between the two main protagonists, they bounce off each other brilliantly, the flirting is nonstop and when they succumb to their desire the pages are 🔥🔥🔥 - this isn’t a book for the prudish!
Riley Edwards is certainly back at the top of her game- there’s no-one that writes military romance quite like her! The links back to her previous series ‘Takeback’ are flawless and her attention to detail leads to a gripping, heart racing, unputdownable read.
Having read all Riley’s Previous series I personally really enjoyed seeing
What happened to Jack, Pete, Cat etc after the events in Dangerous Affair and whilst off page the mentions to Mia and Cole (Dangerous Mind) were appreciated too. Shep is included in ‘Fixed Asset’ in a deeper role as we learn a bit more about him. I’m looking forward to hopefully seeing him getting his own redemption.
I received an advanced copy of this book with thanks to NetGalley and Montlake. All comments are my own honest, unbiased opinion.
Fixed Asset is the first (#1) book in the new ‘Downrange’ series.
Former SIOB agent Catarina Keys is on a CIA assignment in Hondorous when she is kidnapped off the street.
Former Takeback team member Jack Donovan is on a mission with his new team mates when he spots an old acquaintance, a woman he hasn’t seen in nine months. Nine months since they worked together to take down a scumbag and rescue trafficking victims before she disappeared off the face of the earth. Kidnapping her off the side of the road probably didn’t endear him to Catarina but he wasn’t about to leave her prey to the Honduran gangs.
When the pair realise they are looking for the same woman all be it for different reasons, they decide to join together. Jack is aware how careless Catarina can be with her own safety, how reckless and stubbornly goal focused she is. There’s no way he’s going to let her carry on with her assignment without backup whether she wants it or not.
There’s no denying the attraction that simmered between them back in Las Vegas all those months ago is still there, but Cat can’t let emotions get in the way of completing her mission. She has no choice but to try to keep her feelings locked down until this assignment is over and they can both go back to their own lives. There’s nothing wrong with a bit of harmless flirting though right?
-++-++-++-++-++-
We first met Jack & Cat in the final book of Riley’s ‘Takeback’ series ‘Dangerous Affair’, at the end of the book Cat just vanished before they could explore their mutual attraction. **It has to be said here that although we have met many of the characters in this book in previous series, this story is easily read without any previous knowledge**
FIXED ASSET starts off with adrenaline pumping, fast paced action which basically doesn’t slow down until the very end. The storyline entices you in and the pages turn themselves as you desperately need to know what will happen next.
There’s a constant hum of attraction between the two main protagonists, they bounce off each other brilliantly, the flirting is nonstop and when they succumb to their desire the pages are 🔥🔥🔥 - this isn’t a book for the prudish!
Riley Edwards is certainly back at the top of her game- there’s no-one that writes military romance quite like her! The links back to her previous series ‘Takeback’ are flawless and her attention to detail leads to a gripping, heart racing, unputdownable read.
Having read all Riley’s Previous series I personally really enjoyed seeing
What happened to Jack, Pete, Cat etc after the events in Dangerous Affair and whilst off page the mentions to Mia and Cole (Dangerous Mind) were appreciated too. Shep is included in ‘Fixed Asset’ in a deeper role as we learn a bit more about him. I’m looking forward to hopefully seeing him getting his own redemption.
I received an advanced copy of this book with thanks to NetGalley and Montlake. All comments are my own honest, unbiased opinion.
August 14, 2025
I can definitely understand why this book has its fans. It’s packed with action, featuring the CIA, and a thrilling sense of danger, not to mention some sizzling chemistry between the characters.
That said, I found the writing style a bit lacking; it didn’t quite deliver the depth I was hoping for. I wanted to feel a stronger connection to the characters, but it felt like something was missing.
On the bright side, it’s a super fast-paced read, which I think will resonate with many readers.
A big thanks to Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
That said, I found the writing style a bit lacking; it didn’t quite deliver the depth I was hoping for. I wanted to feel a stronger connection to the characters, but it felt like something was missing.
On the bright side, it’s a super fast-paced read, which I think will resonate with many readers.
A big thanks to Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
dnf-2025
November 7, 2025DNF 53% it’s fine. Instalove. Covert government operatives. He doesn’t respect her professionalism like he should.
November 4, 2025
ARC Review (Netgalley)
This was my first Riley Edwards book, and wow! What an introduction! 🔥
I love a good military romance, and this one had everything I crave: a protective, loyal hero, a strong and capable heroine, and nonstop action that kept me hooked from start to finish.
The brotherhood between the team members really stood out. That loyalty, banter, and sense of family gave the story so much heart. I’m always drawn to that bond between the guys, and Riley nailed it perfectly!
Okay, confession time... I didn’t love the cover 🙈 but seriously, don’t judge this book by it. The story inside absolutely delivers. The chemistry, action, and emotional depth are all there!
I’ve already read Book 2, and let me just say… it gets even better 👀 I’ll share more when it’s out, but if you love romantic suspense with fierce heroines, protective heroes, and strong brotherhood vibes, you need this series on your radar!
📖 Fixed Asset (Book 1) releases today!
💥 Book 2 coming soon (and it’s worth the wait).
This was my first Riley Edwards book, and wow! What an introduction! 🔥
I love a good military romance, and this one had everything I crave: a protective, loyal hero, a strong and capable heroine, and nonstop action that kept me hooked from start to finish.
The brotherhood between the team members really stood out. That loyalty, banter, and sense of family gave the story so much heart. I’m always drawn to that bond between the guys, and Riley nailed it perfectly!
Okay, confession time... I didn’t love the cover 🙈 but seriously, don’t judge this book by it. The story inside absolutely delivers. The chemistry, action, and emotional depth are all there!
I’ve already read Book 2, and let me just say… it gets even better 👀 I’ll share more when it’s out, but if you love romantic suspense with fierce heroines, protective heroes, and strong brotherhood vibes, you need this series on your radar!
📖 Fixed Asset (Book 1) releases today!
💥 Book 2 coming soon (and it’s worth the wait).
August 8, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fixed Asset is a sizzling, action-packed second-chance romance that hits every mark. Catarina is a fearless, take-no-prisoners heroine on a dangerous mission, and Jack is the broody, protective ex-SEAL who can’t stay away—even when she drives him crazy. Their chemistry? Absolutely electric.
Riley Edwards blends nonstop suspense, sharp banter, and red-hot romance into a story that’s as emotionally gripping as it is explosive. The tension—both romantic and tactical—builds with every chapter, and the payoff is so worth it.
Smart, steamy, and full of heart-pounding moments. A total must-read for romantic suspense fans!
Fixed Asset is a sizzling, action-packed second-chance romance that hits every mark. Catarina is a fearless, take-no-prisoners heroine on a dangerous mission, and Jack is the broody, protective ex-SEAL who can’t stay away—even when she drives him crazy. Their chemistry? Absolutely electric.
Riley Edwards blends nonstop suspense, sharp banter, and red-hot romance into a story that’s as emotionally gripping as it is explosive. The tension—both romantic and tactical—builds with every chapter, and the payoff is so worth it.
Smart, steamy, and full of heart-pounding moments. A total must-read for romantic suspense fans!
July 20, 2025
Jack and Catarina🙌
If you’ve read the Takeback series, these characters need no introduction…suffice to say Jack and Cat find themselves thrown together while both overseas undergoing missions. But this time neither is prepared to walk away from the other, but first they need to complete their missions as well as survive the dangers they face along the way❣️
Loved this new set of characters, they feel so complex and intriguing, which I love and I’m so happy to have been given the chance to read this early. After waiting for Jonas, I feel like I’ve been in a Riley Edwards slump waiting, so this was enough to whet my whistle to tide me over for the next book😍
Can’t wait to find out more about Mason, Pete, Fallon, Aiden, Gavin and perhaps Shep🤞 I received an advanced copy via Netgalley and willingly leave my honest review❤️
If you’ve read the Takeback series, these characters need no introduction…suffice to say Jack and Cat find themselves thrown together while both overseas undergoing missions. But this time neither is prepared to walk away from the other, but first they need to complete their missions as well as survive the dangers they face along the way❣️
Loved this new set of characters, they feel so complex and intriguing, which I love and I’m so happy to have been given the chance to read this early. After waiting for Jonas, I feel like I’ve been in a Riley Edwards slump waiting, so this was enough to whet my whistle to tide me over for the next book😍
Can’t wait to find out more about Mason, Pete, Fallon, Aiden, Gavin and perhaps Shep🤞 I received an advanced copy via Netgalley and willingly leave my honest review❤️
September 11, 2025
Fixed Asset🎧
By Riley Edwards
Narrated by: Troy Duran & Vanessa Vasquez
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*
True Riley Edwards form in this one. Doing as she does best. Writes a captivating story that makes you want more.
There’s something about a quasi military love story that brings everything into play. You have suspense, drama, love story and most importantly a bad ass FMC. With the little cliffy at the end, seems like we have two bad ass FMC’s!
Don’t sleep on this.
Oh and did I mention the voice actors? Chef’s kiss 💋 Troy and Vanessa killed it!! This is my first time hearing Vanessa. Looking forward to more. Troy is in my top 5 for a reason.
Great job all around. Looking forward to the next installment.
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5
Narration: 🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️
By Riley Edwards
Narrated by: Troy Duran & Vanessa Vasquez
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*
True Riley Edwards form in this one. Doing as she does best. Writes a captivating story that makes you want more.
There’s something about a quasi military love story that brings everything into play. You have suspense, drama, love story and most importantly a bad ass FMC. With the little cliffy at the end, seems like we have two bad ass FMC’s!
Don’t sleep on this.
Oh and did I mention the voice actors? Chef’s kiss 💋 Troy and Vanessa killed it!! This is my first time hearing Vanessa. Looking forward to more. Troy is in my top 5 for a reason.
Great job all around. Looking forward to the next installment.
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5
Narration: 🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️
November 6, 2025
I normally really like this author, but this one really fell flat for me. I liked Catarina, liked how she was with the guys, was so so on Jack, which sucked because these 2 were the "couple" in the book. I even liked how both Catarina and Jack shared things about their lives and after the initial...what the hell are you doing here, they seemed to be on the same page for their future. Their jobs and the crazy action was fun to read. So again, not sure why this one fell flat, but it did.
October 30, 2025
The premise was intriguing, and the narrators for the book were excellent. The storyline was enticing and I loved the field aspect. While it caught my attention, the characters were inconsistent, between rough and tough agents to unrealistically falling for each other without question. The intimacy and relationship moved too quickly in my opinion and did not flow fluidly with the story.
November 12, 2025
Lots of action, mystery, guns and some more. Jack is a protective mmc who doesn't know how to deal with Catarina's way of doing things and i loved the way they devolved, super well resolved. Quick fun read and definitely left me eager to read the second book in this series. Even tho it's a romance book, it's not focused on the "get to know you" but the love story going through their time in missions.
Received an e-arc from netgalley in exchange for as honest review. Thank you for the opportunity!
Received an e-arc from netgalley in exchange for as honest review. Thank you for the opportunity!
November 14, 2025
Riley Edwards has a gift that is creating strong and powerful female lead characters. Catarina Keys is no exception. Caterina is an expert in her field often sent on challenging missions to protect those in need while stopping threats.
Jack Donovan worked with Caterina in the past but walked away after their mission was done, focused on the next assignment.
When they find themselves working together they realize the dedication to helping others isn’t the only thing they have in common.
This book is full of action. Where the FMC didn’t need a man to be successful but his support makes her stronger.
Jack Donovan worked with Caterina in the past but walked away after their mission was done, focused on the next assignment.
When they find themselves working together they realize the dedication to helping others isn’t the only thing they have in common.
This book is full of action. Where the FMC didn’t need a man to be successful but his support makes her stronger.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 20, 2025
Boy, it makes me unhappy to be anything short of thrilled when I get a new Riley Edwards book. Yet here I am.
This doesn't read like the beginning to a new series. This reads like a continuation of any of 4 or 5 existing series. That wouldn't be such an issue, except around 46 people from other series are named/included, which means you really need to have recently read these other series to know who these folks are. Also as much as I enjoy starting a story off with a bang, the story felt like it started quite bit before I got there. It was like running into a movie theater 15 minutes after all the trailers and ads.
The insta love (or was it?) was OK. But wow, there was a massive overload of sticky sweet, heartfelt dialogue throughout most of the book. I felt like I did when I saw Shakespeare in Love and Gwyneth Paltrow sappily intoned "Write me well," to Rafe Fiennes at the end and pretty much ruined the movie. I was always sure she ad libbed that line, even though this was many years before she became insufferable.
There was also an overabundance of testosterony-alpha "protectiveness" discussion that went on waaaay too long. A few mentions would be normal. But this was again way over the top. This was exacerbated by the compliments about the FMC's fighting abilities. Of course she's competent as all get out. But why the many, many comments on her otherworldly abilities? Even the epilogue is just another setup for that. I don't understand why we can't just have some normal storytelling about her skills. She's in a group of highly skilled operatives. It felt like there was some need to justify her presence in the team.
Different team members were focused on a deep hatred of the $ex trade. Totally get that. But again, there were numerous scenes, too many, where someone went off about it. After the first few chapters, we get it.
"Overload" is the thought that just kept popping up in my head while I was reading this book. Too many characters from other series, too much smarmy love dialogue, too much alpha protectiveness issues, too many meltdowns about the $ex trade...all these things in moderation would be a great Riley Edwards story. It felt like too much.
Lastly, I didn't get the spice scenes. They were slightly colored with believable passion. But they were also a conglomeration of light BDSM and just cold, hard doing it. RE has always written fantastic heat. This didn't match up. Plus there was very little of it.
This story didn't have the smooth rhythm of many previous books. I just didn't enjoy it like I have past books. And for the first time since I became a fan, I didn't pre-order the next book.
This doesn't read like the beginning to a new series. This reads like a continuation of any of 4 or 5 existing series. That wouldn't be such an issue, except around 46 people from other series are named/included, which means you really need to have recently read these other series to know who these folks are. Also as much as I enjoy starting a story off with a bang, the story felt like it started quite bit before I got there. It was like running into a movie theater 15 minutes after all the trailers and ads.
The insta love (or was it?) was OK. But wow, there was a massive overload of sticky sweet, heartfelt dialogue throughout most of the book. I felt like I did when I saw Shakespeare in Love and Gwyneth Paltrow sappily intoned "Write me well," to Rafe Fiennes at the end and pretty much ruined the movie. I was always sure she ad libbed that line, even though this was many years before she became insufferable.
There was also an overabundance of testosterony-alpha "protectiveness" discussion that went on waaaay too long. A few mentions would be normal. But this was again way over the top. This was exacerbated by the compliments about the FMC's fighting abilities. Of course she's competent as all get out. But why the many, many comments on her otherworldly abilities? Even the epilogue is just another setup for that. I don't understand why we can't just have some normal storytelling about her skills. She's in a group of highly skilled operatives. It felt like there was some need to justify her presence in the team.
Different team members were focused on a deep hatred of the $ex trade. Totally get that. But again, there were numerous scenes, too many, where someone went off about it. After the first few chapters, we get it.
"Overload" is the thought that just kept popping up in my head while I was reading this book. Too many characters from other series, too much smarmy love dialogue, too much alpha protectiveness issues, too many meltdowns about the $ex trade...all these things in moderation would be a great Riley Edwards story. It felt like too much.
Lastly, I didn't get the spice scenes. They were slightly colored with believable passion. But they were also a conglomeration of light BDSM and just cold, hard doing it. RE has always written fantastic heat. This didn't match up. Plus there was very little of it.
This story didn't have the smooth rhythm of many previous books. I just didn't enjoy it like I have past books. And for the first time since I became a fan, I didn't pre-order the next book.
November 8, 2025
I'm bummed! I really wanted to love this one. The writing is pretty solid but the style wasn't my thing. It was sort of like a raunchy 80s action movie--corny humor, heavy law enforcement vibe, hot but generic sex mixed in.
Don't get me wrong, it's not bad! If you're looking for something that's action-heavy, this might fit the bill. It deals with some serious subject matter, but doesn't get too dark at any point.
Mostly, I was hoping for more suspense/tension in both the plot and the relationship. Though, the sexual tension is present from the start. Like page 1. The MCs have a history and are both crazy for each other from the start. Steamy stuff starts like 20% of the way in.
But any kind of emotional tension is released before it starts. The relationship moves really fast, so it didn't feel like much of a payoff. They knew each other before. They don't get along. They finally fuck. Aaaand then they're calling each other baby and honey immediately. It speeds on from there.
The combat scenes seemed good. Clean writing, easy to follow, good balance of description and action. But that's never going to be my favorite part, so it couldn't carry the book for me.
My final complaint is that the characters didn't feel distinct. Jack is handsome, brooding, and controlled. Cat is reckless, hot-headed, and crazy about Jack. Everything you learn about any character seems to come from a third party discussing them. We get a lot of telling without seeing any interesting or unique behavior from the actual characters.
None of the side characters stood out to me and there were plenty of them. Also a lot of extra names and references to people you don't know. But this is book 1... I assume this has to do with the author's other works but I kept having to pause and try to remember if I'd forgotten someone.
Since the writing was fine and the plot was interesting enough, I got through the book. We did get a little bit of suspense with the plot, but ultimately it went down pretty much how I excepted.
Not really a book that got me excited, but good enough that I think it was probably more of a poor fit than anything else.
Don't get me wrong, it's not bad! If you're looking for something that's action-heavy, this might fit the bill. It deals with some serious subject matter, but doesn't get too dark at any point.
Mostly, I was hoping for more suspense/tension in both the plot and the relationship. Though, the sexual tension is present from the start. Like page 1. The MCs have a history and are both crazy for each other from the start. Steamy stuff starts like 20% of the way in.
But any kind of emotional tension is released before it starts. The relationship moves really fast, so it didn't feel like much of a payoff. They knew each other before. They don't get along. They finally fuck. Aaaand then they're calling each other baby and honey immediately. It speeds on from there.
The combat scenes seemed good. Clean writing, easy to follow, good balance of description and action. But that's never going to be my favorite part, so it couldn't carry the book for me.
My final complaint is that the characters didn't feel distinct. Jack is handsome, brooding, and controlled. Cat is reckless, hot-headed, and crazy about Jack. Everything you learn about any character seems to come from a third party discussing them. We get a lot of telling without seeing any interesting or unique behavior from the actual characters.
None of the side characters stood out to me and there were plenty of them. Also a lot of extra names and references to people you don't know. But this is book 1... I assume this has to do with the author's other works but I kept having to pause and try to remember if I'd forgotten someone.
Since the writing was fine and the plot was interesting enough, I got through the book. We did get a little bit of suspense with the plot, but ultimately it went down pretty much how I excepted.
Not really a book that got me excited, but good enough that I think it was probably more of a poor fit than anything else.
October 25, 2025
No Safety Net, All Sparks
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3 ½ /5)
Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥 (3/5)
Tear Drops: 💧
📚EBOOK📚
This isn’t my first Riley Edwards, and I actually grabbed this ARC on NetGalley because I LOVED two of her other series. I didn’t even read the blurb first—name alone sold me. Quick heads-up though: I strongly suggest reading her Takeback series before this one. I didn’t, and I’m pretty sure I would’ve felt the character dynamics more deeply if I had. That said, it isn’t mandatory—I still had a good time.
Catarina is exactly my catnip: a strong, kick-ass heroine who barrels into danger on her own terms. Jack’s the equally strong, alpha counterpart who meets her intensity beat for beat. Once these two decide to actually give it a go, there’s no dithering—they commit, and their banter had me laughing out loud. The chemistry is steady (Heat 3), and the action never lets up the “romantic suspense” part of the promise.
Where it wobbled for me: I wanted a little more emotional connective tissue. Their relationship clearly has a long history that isn’t fully unpacked here, and at times I felt like I was missing pieces. A short in-story recap of their past would’ve helped. Also, no epilogue—which isn’t a deal breaker, but I do like that extra beat of closure. I’m guessing we’ll get more of them as the series rolls on.
Story vibe (paraphrased): Catarina’s running a high-risk intel drop in Honduras, because of course she is. Jack—ex-Navy SEAL and the man she tangled with on a previous Vegas op—crashes back into her orbit, determined to protect her and figure out who’s pulling strings behind the scenes. They’re caught in a bigger game than either expected, and the push-pull between her need for freedom and his need to keep her safe fuels both the heat and the danger.
Bottom line: Fast, flirty, and full-throttle action with a powerhouse heroine and an alpha who actually earns the title. I wanted a deeper on-page reconnection and a touch more backstory, but I’m definitely sticking with the series—these two have more to give.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3 ½ /5)
Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥 (3/5)
Tear Drops: 💧
📚EBOOK📚
This isn’t my first Riley Edwards, and I actually grabbed this ARC on NetGalley because I LOVED two of her other series. I didn’t even read the blurb first—name alone sold me. Quick heads-up though: I strongly suggest reading her Takeback series before this one. I didn’t, and I’m pretty sure I would’ve felt the character dynamics more deeply if I had. That said, it isn’t mandatory—I still had a good time.
Catarina is exactly my catnip: a strong, kick-ass heroine who barrels into danger on her own terms. Jack’s the equally strong, alpha counterpart who meets her intensity beat for beat. Once these two decide to actually give it a go, there’s no dithering—they commit, and their banter had me laughing out loud. The chemistry is steady (Heat 3), and the action never lets up the “romantic suspense” part of the promise.
Where it wobbled for me: I wanted a little more emotional connective tissue. Their relationship clearly has a long history that isn’t fully unpacked here, and at times I felt like I was missing pieces. A short in-story recap of their past would’ve helped. Also, no epilogue—which isn’t a deal breaker, but I do like that extra beat of closure. I’m guessing we’ll get more of them as the series rolls on.
Story vibe (paraphrased): Catarina’s running a high-risk intel drop in Honduras, because of course she is. Jack—ex-Navy SEAL and the man she tangled with on a previous Vegas op—crashes back into her orbit, determined to protect her and figure out who’s pulling strings behind the scenes. They’re caught in a bigger game than either expected, and the push-pull between her need for freedom and his need to keep her safe fuels both the heat and the danger.
Bottom line: Fast, flirty, and full-throttle action with a powerhouse heroine and an alpha who actually earns the title. I wanted a deeper on-page reconnection and a touch more backstory, but I’m definitely sticking with the series—these two have more to give.
October 12, 2025
Excellent Story & Narration🎧Gripping & Thrilling!
Fixed Asset
Downrange, Book 1
By: Riley Edwards
Narrated by: Troy Durand, Vanessa Vasquez
Riley Edwards masters military romance novels like no other, delivering an amazing, fast-moving, action-packed, romantic suspense that captivates your attention the entire time. Catarina Keys, an operative who is a free agent, takes on a dangerous mission in Honduras, but it isn’t as cut and dry as she thought, because there was more at play. Jack Donovan, ex-Navy SEAL, is on his own mission in Honduras, and he was not happy that she was on a solo or that she and his team were bring played. The two have a past, and it is clear from the unresolved feelings they felt for one another, they will have a future too. She works well with his team, and together they set out on another mission, facing more danger. I thought these two were great together and for each other, plus the back-and-forth banter was great too. This cleverly plotted story has the perfect balance of drama, angst, action, thrilling suspense that takes you to the edge of your seat, heartfelt emotions and steamy romance. Riley Edwards, thank you for another amazing story and wild ride.
🎧📚🎧 Troy Durand and Vanessa Vasquez were fantastic at bringing these characters to life, giving each a voice that was fitting for a perfect portrayal of each. Duran nailed it as Jack, embodying his personality completely, playing the perfect broody alpha. Vasquez did the same in Catarina’s role and was just as amazing and fierce. Both were fantastic at performing the roles of the secondary characters and handling the witty back-and-forth banter too. They set the ideal tone for the story, conveyed all the characters’ emotions in their performance, making you feel them all. These two paired well together, with voices that complemented each other and a performance that kept you riveted to the story. They are entertaining storytellers and a pleasure to listen to.
Fixed Asset
Downrange, Book 1
By: Riley Edwards
Narrated by: Troy Durand, Vanessa Vasquez
Riley Edwards masters military romance novels like no other, delivering an amazing, fast-moving, action-packed, romantic suspense that captivates your attention the entire time. Catarina Keys, an operative who is a free agent, takes on a dangerous mission in Honduras, but it isn’t as cut and dry as she thought, because there was more at play. Jack Donovan, ex-Navy SEAL, is on his own mission in Honduras, and he was not happy that she was on a solo or that she and his team were bring played. The two have a past, and it is clear from the unresolved feelings they felt for one another, they will have a future too. She works well with his team, and together they set out on another mission, facing more danger. I thought these two were great together and for each other, plus the back-and-forth banter was great too. This cleverly plotted story has the perfect balance of drama, angst, action, thrilling suspense that takes you to the edge of your seat, heartfelt emotions and steamy romance. Riley Edwards, thank you for another amazing story and wild ride.
🎧📚🎧 Troy Durand and Vanessa Vasquez were fantastic at bringing these characters to life, giving each a voice that was fitting for a perfect portrayal of each. Duran nailed it as Jack, embodying his personality completely, playing the perfect broody alpha. Vasquez did the same in Catarina’s role and was just as amazing and fierce. Both were fantastic at performing the roles of the secondary characters and handling the witty back-and-forth banter too. They set the ideal tone for the story, conveyed all the characters’ emotions in their performance, making you feel them all. These two paired well together, with voices that complemented each other and a performance that kept you riveted to the story. They are entertaining storytellers and a pleasure to listen to.
November 4, 2025
If you are a fan of suspense this most definitely should be on your radar and your kindle! This is book 1 in Riley Edwards new Downrange series so this is a perfect place for you to start. Oftentimes second chance books are not my favorite however, I really enjoyed this book! Catarina and Jack had really amazing chemistry, banter, and a history. The pair reconnect in the most unlikely place, Honduras. Without spoiling it this book involves one of my favorite things in a suspense novel… kidnapping!
Catarina is such a strong heroine; she doesn't back down from a challenge, isn't afraid to get in and get a job done and she is able to protect herself and fight just as well as the boys on the Downrange team. I really enjoyed how Riley Edwards unveiled Catarina's story throughout the book. Learning more about her past I feel it really helped me connect to her but also understand some of the decisions that she made. Catarina being the badass that she is she quickly gained the respect and admiration of the Downrange team.
Then there is Jack. I love how obsessed Jack is with Catarina, like so obsessed- and honestly for good reason. She is awesome. He desperately tries to hide the fact that he's obsessed with her but everyone is able to tell; and I love how his team ribs him about it. But they are also low key jealous that they know that Jack has found his person. I feel like Jack is the quintessential romantic suspense hero. He is tough, he is overprotective but he also has a very soft spot and is able to listen to reason.
I thoroughly enjoyed how this book played out. I thought that the book was almost wrapping up but it didn't feel like I had enough of Jack and Catarina and sure enough Edwards brought us on another adventure and brought in some new characters that really made the book for me. This adventure made me so excited for what is to come in the next book and series.
Catarina is such a strong heroine; she doesn't back down from a challenge, isn't afraid to get in and get a job done and she is able to protect herself and fight just as well as the boys on the Downrange team. I really enjoyed how Riley Edwards unveiled Catarina's story throughout the book. Learning more about her past I feel it really helped me connect to her but also understand some of the decisions that she made. Catarina being the badass that she is she quickly gained the respect and admiration of the Downrange team.
Then there is Jack. I love how obsessed Jack is with Catarina, like so obsessed- and honestly for good reason. She is awesome. He desperately tries to hide the fact that he's obsessed with her but everyone is able to tell; and I love how his team ribs him about it. But they are also low key jealous that they know that Jack has found his person. I feel like Jack is the quintessential romantic suspense hero. He is tough, he is overprotective but he also has a very soft spot and is able to listen to reason.
I thoroughly enjoyed how this book played out. I thought that the book was almost wrapping up but it didn't feel like I had enough of Jack and Catarina and sure enough Edwards brought us on another adventure and brought in some new characters that really made the book for me. This adventure made me so excited for what is to come in the next book and series.
September 29, 2025
There are many things to like about this book that starts a series known as Downrange. There's a group of men who are tasked with taking out bad men (created as an arm of the government but not protected by the arm of the government so they can get their hands dirty). The story starts off with our FMC Cat who is on a mission to bring intel to a group in Honduras that are in danger. She's an independent contractor who has previously worked for the government and U.S. Marshalls. Then we meet Jack and his team in an unconventional way.
The story unfolds rather quickly and I wonder if the instant "love" is set up to be rushed because we don't have a lot of time (meaning pages) within this book to fully explore a lead up with tension. To be honest, the story starts out as if there was a prequel to their relationship that we (the readers) should have already seen/known about. It felt disjointed that Jack and Cat really have a thing for each other based on a previous experience of working together and the audience of this book isn't really up to speed with those events. (more showing than experiencing). All that said, the writer does give us some hot, steam between the characters and the action is almost non-stop with the mission. That said... we barely pause to take in THEIR relationship for very long. They jump into bed twice and already say the I love you's. I'm just not feeling that part of the story got fully fleshed out. Again, reference the short nature of this book and what is most likely more of a novella than a full fledge story. Decently written but for the most part it's action with a heavy dose of spice. Audiobook was narrated beautifully and I think this saved it for me.
The story unfolds rather quickly and I wonder if the instant "love" is set up to be rushed because we don't have a lot of time (meaning pages) within this book to fully explore a lead up with tension. To be honest, the story starts out as if there was a prequel to their relationship that we (the readers) should have already seen/known about. It felt disjointed that Jack and Cat really have a thing for each other based on a previous experience of working together and the audience of this book isn't really up to speed with those events. (more showing than experiencing). All that said, the writer does give us some hot, steam between the characters and the action is almost non-stop with the mission. That said... we barely pause to take in THEIR relationship for very long. They jump into bed twice and already say the I love you's. I'm just not feeling that part of the story got fully fleshed out. Again, reference the short nature of this book and what is most likely more of a novella than a full fledge story. Decently written but for the most part it's action with a heavy dose of spice. Audiobook was narrated beautifully and I think this saved it for me.
October 24, 2025
Fixed Asset – Book 1 of the Downrange Series by Riley Edwards
Military, suspense romance
Out Nov 4
Meet Catarina Keys, a feisty operative, after a tough start in life she found her way in the Army, with special skills she was wanted by many agencies but turned them down so she could pick the projects she wanted to be part of. Taking on a mission in Honduras, she runs into ex-Navy SEAL Jack Donoval who she worked closely with on a prior operation and suddenly they discover nothing is as it seems for either of their missions.
The pair walked away from their last operation not crossing the line of professional colleagues, even though they both wanted to. It does not take long for them to seize the moment this time around and things to sizzle quickly, before the first date they had steamed up the sheets several times, declared their love, decided how many kids they’d have and named one. Both are smart, capable, protective so they find themselves battling their protective instincts for the other, torn between letting them do their job and wanting to keep them away from danger so nothing can happen to them.
Each series by Edwards have characters overlap, so there is a guide in the back of the book with details of which books/series each character first appears, which may add additional connection and understanding/richer story for anyone who has read the other books.
The book was engaging, I liked the banter between the characters, there is plenty of action and spice, but felt it was missing something to really draw me into Cat and Jack’s story. There was something not quite complete about the telling of their story, which seemed to just cut off, I felt I was missing the wrap-up conclusion as it moved straight into set up for the next book.
Military, suspense romance
Out Nov 4
Meet Catarina Keys, a feisty operative, after a tough start in life she found her way in the Army, with special skills she was wanted by many agencies but turned them down so she could pick the projects she wanted to be part of. Taking on a mission in Honduras, she runs into ex-Navy SEAL Jack Donoval who she worked closely with on a prior operation and suddenly they discover nothing is as it seems for either of their missions.
The pair walked away from their last operation not crossing the line of professional colleagues, even though they both wanted to. It does not take long for them to seize the moment this time around and things to sizzle quickly, before the first date they had steamed up the sheets several times, declared their love, decided how many kids they’d have and named one. Both are smart, capable, protective so they find themselves battling their protective instincts for the other, torn between letting them do their job and wanting to keep them away from danger so nothing can happen to them.
Each series by Edwards have characters overlap, so there is a guide in the back of the book with details of which books/series each character first appears, which may add additional connection and understanding/richer story for anyone who has read the other books.
The book was engaging, I liked the banter between the characters, there is plenty of action and spice, but felt it was missing something to really draw me into Cat and Jack’s story. There was something not quite complete about the telling of their story, which seemed to just cut off, I felt I was missing the wrap-up conclusion as it moved straight into set up for the next book.
July 22, 2025
My excitement levels were already at fever pitch knowing I was going into a brand new series with one of my favourite authors, but then this book was so good I had to read it twice back to back
Jack and Catriona are the perfect (insert chefs kiss emoji) kick off to this series. If you have read her Takeback series (not needed but does add some additional colour to this book) then where the heck have you been for starters, and secondly you will already have been jonesing for this couple to finally get their book
I loved Catriona. Just loved her full stop. I loved her heart, her humour and how she was so difficult until she was so easy in her relationship with Jack
Jack is just exactly who I knew he would be and my goodness does it leave big shoes to fill (though we have Mason next who allegedly has mighty big “shoes” so…..)
After fighting his feelings when they first met, Jack is more than gone the next time they cross paths and the biggest and most emotional challenge he faced is allowing both of them the opportunity to still be who they are deep down. As hard as it is for him to see his heart in danger, the way this is worked through gave me goosebumps and was so satisfyingly empowering.
Relationship goals, as Catriona said herself “We’re already rockin’ the hell out of this relationship gig.”
I desperately want more and can’t wait for this series to continue. I loved all the characters, but especially Catriona’s relationship with the mysteriously deep Mason and really hope we get more of that as his story unfolds in what I predict to be a heart wrenching story.
Jack and Catriona are the perfect (insert chefs kiss emoji) kick off to this series. If you have read her Takeback series (not needed but does add some additional colour to this book) then where the heck have you been for starters, and secondly you will already have been jonesing for this couple to finally get their book
I loved Catriona. Just loved her full stop. I loved her heart, her humour and how she was so difficult until she was so easy in her relationship with Jack
Jack is just exactly who I knew he would be and my goodness does it leave big shoes to fill (though we have Mason next who allegedly has mighty big “shoes” so…..)
After fighting his feelings when they first met, Jack is more than gone the next time they cross paths and the biggest and most emotional challenge he faced is allowing both of them the opportunity to still be who they are deep down. As hard as it is for him to see his heart in danger, the way this is worked through gave me goosebumps and was so satisfyingly empowering.
Relationship goals, as Catriona said herself “We’re already rockin’ the hell out of this relationship gig.”
I desperately want more and can’t wait for this series to continue. I loved all the characters, but especially Catriona’s relationship with the mysteriously deep Mason and really hope we get more of that as his story unfolds in what I predict to be a heart wrenching story.
August 7, 2025
Stop the presses!! Well, not literally—but you’re gonna want to clear your schedule, hit that pause button, and make sure you’re ready for #RideOrDieRiley. Get ready to throw down with a story that’s equal parts action, steam, and emotional gut punch. Fixed Asset throws Catarina Keys and Jack Donovan, from Dangerous Mind, back together in a high-stakes, high-heat collision that proves unfinished business can be just as dangerous as enemy fire. She’s reckless, defiant, and hellbent on her mission. He’s the ex–Navy SEAL who can’t decide whether to guard her six or put her over his knee. The result? Explosive chemistry, sharp banter, and tension so thick you could cut it with a Ka-Bar.
Seeing Catarina and Jack step out from the shadows and into their first op together? GAME CHANGER. Catarina is the kind of woman who charges straight into the storm, plants her feet, and still makes you want to protect her from the worst of it. Jack is all SEAL discipline and lethal focus—relentless and entirely undone by the woman he can’t decide whether to protect or punish. Every time they lock horns, I’m either laughing out loud or forgetting to breathe.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know Riley Edwards doesn’t do quiet romance—it comes strapped to a ticking clock that’ll keep you flipping pages long after bedtime. Every shot fired, every twist revealed, and every heartbeat between these two pulls you deeper in. It’s fast, it’s filthy, and it’s full of the kind of characters that stay lodged in your heart. If Dangerous Mind gave us a taste, Fixed Asset is the full-course meal—and I devoured every bite.
Seeing Catarina and Jack step out from the shadows and into their first op together? GAME CHANGER. Catarina is the kind of woman who charges straight into the storm, plants her feet, and still makes you want to protect her from the worst of it. Jack is all SEAL discipline and lethal focus—relentless and entirely undone by the woman he can’t decide whether to protect or punish. Every time they lock horns, I’m either laughing out loud or forgetting to breathe.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know Riley Edwards doesn’t do quiet romance—it comes strapped to a ticking clock that’ll keep you flipping pages long after bedtime. Every shot fired, every twist revealed, and every heartbeat between these two pulls you deeper in. It’s fast, it’s filthy, and it’s full of the kind of characters that stay lodged in your heart. If Dangerous Mind gave us a taste, Fixed Asset is the full-course meal—and I devoured every bite.
November 2, 2025
Fixed Asset was another thrilling ride from Riley Edwards! Jack and Catarina’s chemistry was undeniable from the start—intense, emotional, and full of spark. Even though I felt a bit behind on their backstory, I still found them solid, well-drawn characters.
Now that they’re working side by side in a high-stakes, high-danger job, they’re forced to navigate both their relationship and their mission. I loved seeing them balance their protective instincts—torn between letting the other do their job and wanting to shield them from danger. It added a layer of realism and emotional depth that kept me hooked.
I loved the team camaraderie, banter and teasing. Watching them welcome Catarina felt authentic and heartwarming. I especially enjoyed her moments with Mason—the start of trust and friendship there was such a nice touch. (And yes, Mason's story has me intrigued!)
Riley Edwards continues to expand the world she created in the Takeback series while carving out this new exciting series I've always been such a fan of her books and this new Downrange series will be sure to be added to that list.
I thought the storyline was fast-paced, full of danger, teamwork, and just the right amount of heart. I’m fully invested in this series and can’t wait to see what comes next.
The audiobook was fabulous! I'm already a fan of Troy Duran and I'm excited to listen to more from Vanessa. They brought a new level to these characters that I really enjoyed. This was an easy read for me and listened to it in a day :)
Thank you to Brilliance Publishing, Netgalley and Riley Edwards for the audioArc.
Now that they’re working side by side in a high-stakes, high-danger job, they’re forced to navigate both their relationship and their mission. I loved seeing them balance their protective instincts—torn between letting the other do their job and wanting to shield them from danger. It added a layer of realism and emotional depth that kept me hooked.
I loved the team camaraderie, banter and teasing. Watching them welcome Catarina felt authentic and heartwarming. I especially enjoyed her moments with Mason—the start of trust and friendship there was such a nice touch. (And yes, Mason's story has me intrigued!)
Riley Edwards continues to expand the world she created in the Takeback series while carving out this new exciting series I've always been such a fan of her books and this new Downrange series will be sure to be added to that list.
I thought the storyline was fast-paced, full of danger, teamwork, and just the right amount of heart. I’m fully invested in this series and can’t wait to see what comes next.
The audiobook was fabulous! I'm already a fan of Troy Duran and I'm excited to listen to more from Vanessa. They brought a new level to these characters that I really enjoyed. This was an easy read for me and listened to it in a day :)
Thank you to Brilliance Publishing, Netgalley and Riley Edwards for the audioArc.
November 19, 2025
This was a very fast-paced read with plenty to keep me hooked. The pacing was strong throughout, with slight plot twists, unanswered questions, and just the right amount of deception from the higher-ups to keep the tension sharp. I really enjoyed that when the MMC and FMC reunited, they didn’t dance around their feelings—they were open, direct, and refreshingly honest. I also appreciated that the MMC was able to concede that the FMC had her own strengths and wasn’t someone who needed saving at every turn. There was a lovely quote about them being a double-edged sword together, which summed up their dynamic beautifully.
I can absolutely see the appeal of this book: action, CIA operations, violence, danger, and undeniably hot chemistry. The constant movement from case to case kept me guessing, and the rescue-mission elements were gripping. Although I haven’t read any of the other connected books, I never felt lost or frustrated; the story stands well on its own.
One thing I will say is that the ending between the main couple felt abrupt—almost as if someone slammed a door shut and shouted, “Next!” right as things reached a natural emotional peak. I wasn’t expecting a marriage-and-babies epilogue, but I did want a little more breathing room before being thrown straight into the teaser for the next pairing. Still, it didn’t detract too much from my overall enjoyment, and I really hope we get Shep (aka Drexel) featured in his own book.
Overall, a quick, punchy, and exciting read that I think will appeal to a lot of readers.
Thank you to NetGalley for the free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
I can absolutely see the appeal of this book: action, CIA operations, violence, danger, and undeniably hot chemistry. The constant movement from case to case kept me guessing, and the rescue-mission elements were gripping. Although I haven’t read any of the other connected books, I never felt lost or frustrated; the story stands well on its own.
One thing I will say is that the ending between the main couple felt abrupt—almost as if someone slammed a door shut and shouted, “Next!” right as things reached a natural emotional peak. I wasn’t expecting a marriage-and-babies epilogue, but I did want a little more breathing room before being thrown straight into the teaser for the next pairing. Still, it didn’t detract too much from my overall enjoyment, and I really hope we get Shep (aka Drexel) featured in his own book.
Overall, a quick, punchy, and exciting read that I think will appeal to a lot of readers.
Thank you to NetGalley for the free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 18, 2025
3.75 stars
Since discovering this author a few years ago, she has become an instant click for me. I always appreciate the tie-ins with previous series and characters without feeling like it is just a rehash of their books. This author is great at creating a suspenseful action packed book with dynamic characters and funny moments of bantering between the various characters. However, in this book, something felt different. it wasn't as fluid, and at times, that lack of fluidity created a sense of disconnect. I never fully connected the way that I wanted/expected. This was disappointing considering the chokehold the previous series had on me, in particular the Takeback series. The jokes seemed stilted, and at times a bit cringey, in my opinion.
Having said that, Jack and Catarina were solid characters even with the disconnect. The problem with them is that I never truly felt their connection. It was more telling than showing, if that makes sense. What did work in this book, however, was the peek into some of the other characters and wanting to know their backstory. I particularly appreciated the times with Catarina and Mason, and the start of building trust and a friendship. My interest was piqued regarding Mason, and it is the main reason I am rounding this up to four stars.
While this was not my favorite written by this author, it was still a solid and quick read. Even though it was not my favorite, there were good moments, and the series will likely get better as it goes on.
Since discovering this author a few years ago, she has become an instant click for me. I always appreciate the tie-ins with previous series and characters without feeling like it is just a rehash of their books. This author is great at creating a suspenseful action packed book with dynamic characters and funny moments of bantering between the various characters. However, in this book, something felt different. it wasn't as fluid, and at times, that lack of fluidity created a sense of disconnect. I never fully connected the way that I wanted/expected. This was disappointing considering the chokehold the previous series had on me, in particular the Takeback series. The jokes seemed stilted, and at times a bit cringey, in my opinion.
Having said that, Jack and Catarina were solid characters even with the disconnect. The problem with them is that I never truly felt their connection. It was more telling than showing, if that makes sense. What did work in this book, however, was the peek into some of the other characters and wanting to know their backstory. I particularly appreciated the times with Catarina and Mason, and the start of building trust and a friendship. My interest was piqued regarding Mason, and it is the main reason I am rounding this up to four stars.
While this was not my favorite written by this author, it was still a solid and quick read. Even though it was not my favorite, there were good moments, and the series will likely get better as it goes on.
August 23, 2025
If you want to check out military romance, Riley Edwards is the author to read FOR SURE.
Catarina Keys is a free agent on a risky mission in Honduras. Last year, after a successful op together, ex-Navy SEAL Jack Donovan thought leaving her was the right move. Now he’s not so sure. When they realize there’s much more to this mission than they expected, they have to hold their own together as the heat ramps up.
This is a fabulous military romance with just enough emotionality to hook female readers without becoming over the top. The story is complex, well-written, and intriguing. A little overly wordy at times, but that didn’t bother me. Edwards is a master at weaving strong military tactical scenes with moments of deep character vulnerability and connection. It’s absurd how often I cried at the sweet, tender moments between characters. Fair warning: this book is Spicy. Let’s just say the door is open, the light is on, and everyone knows what (or who’s) going down is loud and clear. There’s also lots of language. But the spiciness offers a pleasant contrast to the horror of sex trafficking that the characters are battling, demonstrating what physical love can look like when it’s shared and not taken. And bonus: Edwards has a whole series with connected characters in this shared world, so there’s plenty more to read!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Writing style
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Characters
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Plot
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Premise
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Pacing
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Impact
Thank you to Montlake and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Catarina Keys is a free agent on a risky mission in Honduras. Last year, after a successful op together, ex-Navy SEAL Jack Donovan thought leaving her was the right move. Now he’s not so sure. When they realize there’s much more to this mission than they expected, they have to hold their own together as the heat ramps up.
This is a fabulous military romance with just enough emotionality to hook female readers without becoming over the top. The story is complex, well-written, and intriguing. A little overly wordy at times, but that didn’t bother me. Edwards is a master at weaving strong military tactical scenes with moments of deep character vulnerability and connection. It’s absurd how often I cried at the sweet, tender moments between characters. Fair warning: this book is Spicy. Let’s just say the door is open, the light is on, and everyone knows what (or who’s) going down is loud and clear. There’s also lots of language. But the spiciness offers a pleasant contrast to the horror of sex trafficking that the characters are battling, demonstrating what physical love can look like when it’s shared and not taken. And bonus: Edwards has a whole series with connected characters in this shared world, so there’s plenty more to read!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Writing style
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Characters
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Plot
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Premise
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Pacing
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Impact
Thank you to Montlake and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 22, 2025
✨ ALC Review✨ Publication Date: 11/4/2025
Fixed Asset by Riley Edwards
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
✨The book: Catarina Keys has built her reputation running dangerous, off-the-books intelligence ops. Jack Donovan, a former Navy SEAL, is pulled back into her orbit when their paths collide on a mission in Honduras. Old wounds resurface, betrayals, trust issues, and unresolved passion, but the stakes are life and death. Forced to work together to survive an escalating threat, Jack and Catarina must untangle their past while fighting enemies who want them both dead. Along the way, their second chance at love becomes as high-risk as the mission itself.
Tropes:
-Second-chance romance
-Forced proximity
-Ex-military protector
-Strong, capable FMC
-Team/found family
-Danger + desire balance
-Past betrayal to present trust
💭Review: I loved the fierce FMC…she’s skilled, capable, and more than able to hold her own alongside a team of expert killers. Watching her earn their trust through combat ops and prove she’ll never leave anyone behind was addictive. Jack may have walked away once, but when they reunite, the sparks fly just like before. He’s the broody, protective MMC who has to learn to trust her strength and skills. The storyline is fast, action-packed, and impossible to put down! You look up and realize you’ve finished the whole thing. Can’t wait for the next one!
Thank you to @netgalley, @brilliancepublishing and @rileyedwardsromance for this ALC in exchange for an honest review.
Fixed Asset by Riley Edwards
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
✨The book: Catarina Keys has built her reputation running dangerous, off-the-books intelligence ops. Jack Donovan, a former Navy SEAL, is pulled back into her orbit when their paths collide on a mission in Honduras. Old wounds resurface, betrayals, trust issues, and unresolved passion, but the stakes are life and death. Forced to work together to survive an escalating threat, Jack and Catarina must untangle their past while fighting enemies who want them both dead. Along the way, their second chance at love becomes as high-risk as the mission itself.
Tropes:
-Second-chance romance
-Forced proximity
-Ex-military protector
-Strong, capable FMC
-Team/found family
-Danger + desire balance
-Past betrayal to present trust
💭Review: I loved the fierce FMC…she’s skilled, capable, and more than able to hold her own alongside a team of expert killers. Watching her earn their trust through combat ops and prove she’ll never leave anyone behind was addictive. Jack may have walked away once, but when they reunite, the sparks fly just like before. He’s the broody, protective MMC who has to learn to trust her strength and skills. The storyline is fast, action-packed, and impossible to put down! You look up and realize you’ve finished the whole thing. Can’t wait for the next one!
Thank you to @netgalley, @brilliancepublishing and @rileyedwardsromance for this ALC in exchange for an honest review.
October 14, 2025
3.25⭐️/5
I would recommend this if you enjoy:
- Secret missions
- Fast-paced action scenes
- Forced proximity
- Spicy scenes
Thank you for the ALC Netgalley, Brilliance Publishing & Brilliance Audio. All opinions are my own.
This book follows Catarina Keys and Jack Donovan who have met the year previously on a mission where an attraction began but they never got together. When she gets kidnapped by him off the street, they have to work together on a mission together while the romantic tension grows.
I wanted to love this because it had a plot alongside the romance and I like that in books but I felt that the romance and characters in this one didn't have much depth. The romance was very insta-love and insta-lust as they're not even near each other that long and they're in bed together and thinking that they're in love with one another. I liked that Catarina was strong and that Jack was down bad for her but their relationship felt very physical.
The plot was confusing at times and there were so many characters mentioned that it was difficult to remember who everyone was. The side characters were okay and I am intrigued for some of their potential books. While they felt flat as people, they did add to the book in some way. The audiobook was good and the narrators did a great job at bringing the characters to life.
Overall, I would recommend this book as a short but spicy action-packed read with fun side characters. The writing was good so I would pick up another of this author's books.
I would recommend this if you enjoy:
- Secret missions
- Fast-paced action scenes
- Forced proximity
- Spicy scenes
Thank you for the ALC Netgalley, Brilliance Publishing & Brilliance Audio. All opinions are my own.
This book follows Catarina Keys and Jack Donovan who have met the year previously on a mission where an attraction began but they never got together. When she gets kidnapped by him off the street, they have to work together on a mission together while the romantic tension grows.
I wanted to love this because it had a plot alongside the romance and I like that in books but I felt that the romance and characters in this one didn't have much depth. The romance was very insta-love and insta-lust as they're not even near each other that long and they're in bed together and thinking that they're in love with one another. I liked that Catarina was strong and that Jack was down bad for her but their relationship felt very physical.
The plot was confusing at times and there were so many characters mentioned that it was difficult to remember who everyone was. The side characters were okay and I am intrigued for some of their potential books. While they felt flat as people, they did add to the book in some way. The audiobook was good and the narrators did a great job at bringing the characters to life.
Overall, I would recommend this book as a short but spicy action-packed read with fun side characters. The writing was good so I would pick up another of this author's books.
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