Betrayal & New Beginnings

Ranger Shield Security #1

by Allison Bettes

Ellie Hutchinson is desperate to escape her ex, Randall, whose obsessive control has turned dangerous. Seeking protection, she moves to Georgia with the help of her brother and his military friends, now running a private security business. As Ellie begins to rebuild her life, she finds unexpected safety—and love—in Wade Watson, a battle-hardened veteran with his own scars from the past. But just as Ellie starts to feel secure, her past catches up with her. Randall refuses to let go and grows increasingly unhinged, turning his pursuit into a deadly game. As the threats escalate, Ellie and Wade’s bond deepens, yet the looming danger makes every step forward feel fragile. Complicating matters, an unexpected antagonist emerges— someone Ellie once trusted, whose jealousy and obsession with her new relationship takes a dark turn. Ellie must navigate a growing web of danger, torn between falling in love with her brother’s best friend and a fight for her life. As her past collides with her future, Ellie realizes that she can’t just hide—she has to fight back.

Genres: Romance, Romantic Suspense

306 pages, Paperback

Published March 26, 2025

About the author

Romantic Suspense Author

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

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

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

Reviews

[Sabrina Mordini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Betrayal & New Beginnings by Allison Bettes is an intriguing suspense romance that kept me hooked from start to finish.

After escaping an abusive relationship, Ellie seeks protection from her brother’s army friends. That’s where she meets Wade, and the chemistry between them is instant. But danger still lurks—her ex is determined to get her back.

The story is well-developed, giving the characters time to truly connect and fall in love rather than rushing into it. I especially appreciated how the romance took its time to bloom. While I enjoy some spice in my romance novels, I liked the balance here between open and closed-door scenes. It felt natural and well-paced.

I also really enjoyed the author’s writing style—it was easy to follow and engaging, with just the right focus on emotions. It allowed me to connect with the characters without overshadowing the unfolding plot. One of my favorite aspects was Ellie’s bond with Ruthie, especially their conversation about guilt and things beyond our control. Ruthie’s reference to Maya Angelou’s quote—“Forgive yourself for not knowing what you didn’t know before you learned it”—felt like such a powerful addition to a romance novel. It’s an important message for anyone who has been in a difficult relationship.

The cast of side characters added depth to the story, making it feel layered and open to future developments. The author did a wonderful job maintaining tension, skillfully building relationships, and delivering a well-rounded narrative. And that plot twist? Absolutely wild!

The pacing was another strong point—it slowed down at the right moments, lulling the reader into a false sense of security before something creepy happened. Even though this isn’t my usual genre, I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to learn more about the other characters in future installments.

If you love suspense romance, found family, and ex-military main characters, this book is definitely for you!

[Leslie Blair · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book sucked me in immediately and I could not put it down until I finished. Wade and Ellie are the epitome of everything I love about romantic suspense.

Ellie has recently moved to Atlanta for her safety and to be closer to her brother. He and his friends have started a new security firm so she figured she could not be in safer hands. She finds herself drawn to Wade who is her brother’s best friend and colleague. When her dangerous ex comes to town, Wade knew he would do anything to protect Ellie.

I loved everything about this book. It has the perfect amount of romance and suspense. The chemistry between Wade and Ellie leapt off the pages. I loved how fiercely protective he was of her. One of my favorite things was how she met him where he was with his inner demons. She never backed down with showing him how much of a good man he was. I’m so excited this is a series because I need the rest of the Ranger Shield Security team to have their own stories!

[Torie May · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found out about this book since the author is local to me and got to pick up a copy of her book at a local event. I am SO glad I picked this book up and got to dive into her work because this book hit all the marks of my favorite genre (lately atleast); romantic suspense. Our FMC has fled an abusive relationship and goes to stay with her brother’s military friends while he’s still deployed. While Ellie is starting to fall in love, her ex is still stalking her & trying to ruin her life.
This book has found family, brothers bestfriend, grumpy x sunshine, and just all around a good, easy read!

[Cindy Jetton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally loved this book! Read it and share it. If you know someone in an abusive situation, give them a copy of this book. It could change their lives. Well done Allison, I look forward to reading the next in the series.

[Alyssa Alvarez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great!!!!

loved this book. Saw her tik tok page to give her book a chance. I needed up finishing in 2 days. Congratulations I am happy I stumbled across your video

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous romantic/suspense thriller! The author gets you fully engaged with the leading couple with her knack of detailed descriptions of not only the characters, but the settings as well. The build up of the romance is perfectly timed with the underlying suspense element.

[Donna Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast paced, relatable romance with thrilling twists. Allison does an incredible job building the tension of a growing romance between Ellie and Wade (her brothers bestfriend) while she escapes her old life.
Honestly, it’s all in the title “betrayal and new beginnings”. There’s witty banter, lust, love, manipulation, revenge, and everything you need for an engaging romance.

[Kristina artNerd · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this story!! The FMC struggled with so much but the author didn’t make it overly dark. While you still understood the depth of her pain and issues. The MMC is so sweet - Wade was crazy for Ellie from the start. Excited to read more by this author and see more plot twists and turns !!

[Cecilia de Alvarado · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary:
Ellie has finally had enough and decides to leave her abusive relationship to start over. Little does she know that this change will bring her more than she bargained for.
She leaves to stay with her brother, who is currently deployed overseas, and meets Wade, her brother's best friend and business partner who offers her a job, protection, and a chance to fall in love. Ellie must now navigate the complications of falling in love with her brother's best friend while escaping from a dangerous past that lurks nearby.

Review:
I couldn't love this book more than I do, I felt like I was watching the perfect suspense/romantic movie. It has it all: action, plot twists, steamy and sweet love scenes, it was a page-turner for me.
I loved the way Allison built a set of wonderful secondary female characters that were strong and supportive, the definition of sorority and resilience each on their own accord. My heart was pounding so hard at the last chapters, it was an adrenaline fest and worked wonderfully with the narrative. Finally, we are introduced to the couples we will be following through the rest of the series and I can't wait for them to be released so I can read their stories too!

This is a 5-star read for me and if you like the following tropes:

✨Grumpy/sunshine
✨Brother's Best friend
✨Military Romance
✨Hidden Enemy
✨Office Romance

This one is for you!

[ItzelsLittleLibrary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved Ellie and I liked Wade as their own people and liked them when they came together as a couple. I liked the suspense in this and was itching to see how it would pan out. I especially loved how everyone took care of not only Ellie, but each other too. Ruthie and Tammy were my absolute faves and I LOVED how much they adored Ellie. Overall, it was a fun read!

The author over explained scenes which in some instances it’s fine, however I felt it was overused in a lot of places, such as explaining what happened to her and still telling the readers in detail a second time. These are not things that bother me and I still enjoyed the book, however, I wanted to provide truthful and helpful feedback. This was a insta-love (insta-lust) story and it moved quickly, but it was short, sweet, and had a satisfying ending. I am especially excited to read Jack and Ruthie if the author chooses to write their story!

If you like the following tropes, this is for you!
- Brothers best friend
- Office Romance
- Age Gap
- He falls first

Note: I received an E-book ARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[dani collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I STARTED AND FINISHED THIS BOOK THE SAME DAMN DAY. I WAS HOOKED FROM THE BEGINNING AND LET ME TELL YOU THE PLOT TWIST GIRL I WASNT EXPECTING THAT SHIT OMG. i love all the characters and the love they have for ellie SO MUCH. they make her know her worth and make her understand that they are her family now and they will do anything for her no matter what

[Caitlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

You guys know I love a good military romance, and this one DOES NOT disappoint! I devoured it in two days!

Wade and Ellie are the perfect couple! From their first meeting in the bar office, to their first kiss and her meeting his family, and every other moment in between was done so well!

I love a protective, alpha MMC and Wade is all of that! And watching Ellie come out of her shell and follow her dreams made me so happy!

I love a good book that leaves you guessing who the bad guy could be, and WOW! I didn’t see that coming!

You will devour Wade and Ellie’s story too if you love
🥊 Forced Proximity
🥊 Office Romance
🥊 Brother’s Best Friend
🥊 Hidden Enemy

[Kelly Klein · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the way this book compelled me to keep reading the next chapter. I was reading pages throughout the day every chance I got!
I don’t typically like spicy books. It’s just not my thing. However, I really enjoyed the way the relationships and intimacy were written.

The author, Allison Bettes, uses characters’ inner monologues to show how they feel without telling. It felt like I was noticing my friends’ crush before they did.

Everything in the story felt pertinent and moved the narrative forward, without feeling like overwrought or manufactured interactions for the sake of exposition.

I look forward to the next book in the series.

[Gracie M · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun read. A bit of ups and downs on the pace but sick to it. It's totally worth it. I loved the main characters and the intro to the next book left me with great interest to figure out what would happen with them to continue the series. I really enjoyed the relationships between the characters too show a true sense of "family".

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book grabbed me with the first few pages. There is plenty of suspense, romance, and some laughs to be had along the way. The characters were perfectly written and are very relatable. I absolutely loved this book and can’t wait for the next one to come out!

[Kristen White · Rating 5 out of 5]

★★★★★ 5 stars

Betrayal and New Beginnings by Allison Bettes completely swept me away. From the first chapter, I was all in—rooting so hard for Ellie as she escapes an abusive relationship and tries to rebuild her life in Georgia. She moves into the apartment above her older brother Jack’s bar while he’s finishing his military tour, and it’s there that her journey toward healing truly begins.

Wade, Jack’s best friend and business partner, steps in to help Ellie adjust—and wow, the chemistry between them is undeniable. Their slow-burn romance had me hooked. There’s such emotional tension, not just from their shared attraction, but from the loyalty they both feel to Jack. Wade is the kind of protective, emotionally complex hero I absolutely adore, and his struggles with PTSD were handled with real care and depth. Ellie doesn’t try to fix him—she simply shows up, sees him, and offers a kind of comfort no one else has.

The supporting cast added so much to the story, especially Ruthie—Ellie’s quiet but also fiesty friend who brought levity and heart. I caught the hints between Ruthie and Jack, and I’m already hoping their story is somewhere in the next three books!

There’s a twist toward the end that raised the stakes and made the story even more compelling. This book has it all: authentic characters, slow-burn romance, suspense, healing, and the kind of emotional payoff that lingers long after the last page.

An unforgettable read. Allison Bettes is officially on my auto-buy list.
The side characters were a standout too—Ruthie in particular brought warmth and humor, and I’m already hoping for a Jack and Ruthie story in another book in the series. The tension with Ellie’s ex simmered in the background and built to a twist I didn’t see coming, adding just the right amount of suspense.

Heartfelt, romantic, and beautifully paced—this book was the perfect blend of healing, heat, and hope. I’ll definitely be reading anything Allison Bettes writes next!

[Sharon Grow · Rating 5 out of 5]

The summary was right; I did love this book and the characters! Eliana “Ellie” Hutchinson knew that if she didn’t escape her situation, she would most likely end up dead. Finally, with the help of a friend, she was able to escape to Georgia where her brother planned to live when he left the military. Meeting her brother’s friend, Wade Watson, was a stroke of luck as he offered her a job and the use of her brother’s apartment. She felt an attraction to Wade, part owner of Ranger Shield Security and The Watering Hole Pub, but was not ready to get involved with anyone. Wade was instantly attracted to Ellie, but concerned that she was running from someone or something and knew that she was off limits as the sister of his best friend. She quickly made friends with the staff at the pub who made her feel welcome, but as she and Wade grew closer, was she living in a fool’s paradise where she was finally safe from her ex’s threats? He knew that he needed to keep things professional between them, but that proved more difficult when he realized that someone may have followed her to town, someone who was a danger to her. Can he and his friends at RSS keep her safe and end the threat? I look forward to the rest of this series! I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the suspense parts of this story and I loved the romance parts. I found Wade and Ellie to be very likeable and sweet and their romance was not taboo but it felt like it was. Brother’s best friend. I am all about suspense books. I loved them. I gravitate to them. I wanted more suspense in this story. The action is fairly fast paced which is a must for me in these stories. I enjoyed all of the side characters in this story and I do want to read their stories. Especially Ruthie. She has a story to tell. Overall, I really enjoyed this story. This is a new to me author and I thought her writing flowed really well and she tells a good story.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Betrayal And New Beginnings is a fast-paced romantic suspense that blends found family, military protectiveness, and just the right touch of danger. When Ellie escapes her toxic, abusive ex, the last thing she expects is to fall into the arms of Wade—her brother’s best friend. Their insta-connection isn’t usually my favorite trope, but their banter was fun and made me root for them from the start. The story balances suspense with both open and closed-door spice, making it an easy, bingeable weekend read. Overall, it’s a strong start to this military romantic suspense series, and I’ll definitely be diving into book two on KU this weekend!

3.25 ⭐

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book because I love romantic suspense and brother's best friend stories. Ellie Hutchinson deserves better than an abusive boyfriend. She flees Randall and moves to Georgia where her older brother and his military friends run a pub and a security business. She takes a job at the pub but what she doesn't expect is to fall for her boss, her brother's best friend, Wade Watson. Unbeknownst to her, Randall has followed her to Georgia and wants to make her pay for leaving him. I liked the characters and their interactions in this book and although boyfriend abuse is the prevalent theme in the story, it is well written. This is a good first book in a series.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, I immediately downloaded the second one on KU as soon as I finished it. It's got a great plot, wonderful, lovable characters. The FMC did not frustrate me, which is always a huge plus for me.

Having been in an abusive relationship myself, I thought she did a great job of showing the struggles abuse victims deal with internally and externally, but, at the same time, showing how strong the FMC is even with her insecurities from her previous relationship.

I would definitely recommend giving this book a try, there's also a couple of plot twists to keep you on your toes!

[BecReadReview · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wade & Ellie are the embodiment of a slow burn filled with sweet, aching longing. Their vulnerability, awkwardness, & undeniable attraction make their journey feel real & deeply heartfelt. Laughter, banter, & genuine friendship color the pages, creating a warm & engaging atmosphere. Suspense weaves in subtly, keeping you on edge. When danger strikes, Wade’s alpha protector mode ignites with fierce intensity. Excellent start!

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good debut novel! The story of Ellie and Wade had me hooked from the beginning and was filled with the perfect blend of romance and suspense. And I did not see the plot twist coming! I am already excited for more books from this author. The sneak peek of the next book has me counting down the days until it's released!

[H · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the world building and dialogue weren’t as descriptive as they could have been, the plot was engaging in a way that kept me turning pages. Brother’s best friend is a common trope, and I always find it interesting how the author deals with the reveal of the couple to the sibling. Tammy, the bartender, had me laughing. Looking forward to reading the next in the series.

[Samantha Carobine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Wade and Ellie’s relationship is one of the best I’ve read. He’s there to protect her and truly care for her.

The story blends romance, suspense and crime into one great story.

Thank you Allison for sharing this story with me! Onto the next!

[Dale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes life goes unexpected, sometimes in the best way and some ways in the hard ways. The characters life goes shaken up in both the best and hard ways. Sometimes you just need to remember there is a light at the end of the tunnel, no matter the struggles you may face.

[Amber Worthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful story! Gracefully tackling domestic violence and PTSD. The characters are resilient and inspirational. I am so happy there are already three books after this! I am so happy I found this author. She’s so talented!

[MP · Rating 5 out of 5]

Description had me intrigued so I tried this new author out. Really enjoyed it. Not big on spicy romance but the suspense/thriller parts were great. Characters were very real and dialogue was great

[Kenz · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars - really enjoyed but needed a little but more development!