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DAG Team #4

Stalled Descent

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A man forced to work for the enemy and a woman on the run from her past…

For years, ace pilot Archie McKinley has been living a double life. Now that his role as a mole within DAG has been exposed, he has one chance to make things take down Elliot Essa, the man who’s held him captive with threats and manipulation for over a decade.

To infiltrate the impenetrable Red Winter compound, Archie needs help from the team he deceived and the one person who truly knows him—Meret Shahid, his childhood partner-in-crime turned photographer. The girl who once earned the nickname “the Imp” in their small Iranian village might be his only shot at redemption. But Meret has her own demons from Red Winter, and returning to the organization she barely escaped could cost her everything.

As Archie grapples with guilt over his betrayal and his growing feelings for Meret, they must navigate new threats, uneasy alliances, and shocking revelations. The mission is destroy Red Winter’s empire and free the innocent families trapped within it.

But the price of redemption may be higher than either of them is willing to pay.


This book is a full-length romance with a happy ending. It is part of a 4-book interconnected series where each book features a different couple.
This is a steamy romance for readers 18+

237 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 25, 2025

2 people are currently reading
16 people want to read

About the author

Kel O'Connor

6 books72 followers
Winner of the Pencraft Award and The Chill Award and a finalist for The Book Buyers Best Award, The Maggie Award for Excellence and The Carolyn Reader’s Choice Award, Kel lives with her family in the mountains of North Carolina. In addition to reading and writing, she loves coffee, loud rock music, subversive humor and the smell of old books. You can find her online on Instagram, Facebook and at keloconnor.com.

3 Random Facts about Kel:
* She will buy almost anything if it is a hot pink color
* She watches any and every show/movie about crime-fighting, spies, detective work or secret agents
* She and her husband once owned a humor store



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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
Profile Image for Jenni.
7,058 reviews88 followers
December 15, 2025
4.5 stars
Stalled Descent is the fourth and final instalment in the engaging special ops series, DAG Team, by Kel O'Conner. Like the previous books, this romantic suspense novel is thrilling and filled with just the right balance of steam, drama, danger, action, adventure, and betrayal, as the DAG team grapples with a traitor in their midst.

The story is a complex tapestry with multiple layers, where the narrative, world-building, and character development are compelling, making it hard to put down. The characters are well-developed and realistic, allowing readers to become invested in their stories and struggles.

Archie will stop at nothing to take down Red Winter and the man behind it, even if it means facing deadly consequences. However, to achieve his goal, he must confront the one thing he betrayed: the team.

Meret has endured more than most, but will she be able to fight against the very place that caused her suffering?

I’m excited to see what comes next from Kel!
Profile Image for Nikki Brooks.
3,614 reviews55 followers
August 18, 2025
Another great protector romance series comes to an end but hopefully we haven't seen the back of these characters.

Archie has been living a lie. Archie isn't even his real name - he was sent undercover in the USA decades a go and now his masters want their pound of flesh. Archie has done what he can to subvert their plans but when they come for his friends, he comes clean. But has he lost the support (and more importantly the friendship and trust) of his former colleagues?

Mary (aka Meret) is another former undercover agent. She is the only one who managed to escape their compound and truly disappear. She loves her new life, but she is always on alert - looking for those who would harm her or ruin her new life. When Archie crashes back into her life she wants to run but her former childhood friend needs her help to save his mum and she just can't say no to him.

Essa and Red Winter are great foes - the kind you can just unapologetically loathe. The way they manipulated and deceived vulnerable and starving people to do their bidding for them was reprehensible. Meret was such an emotionally strong character, she had literally lost everything in her former life and Red Winter had nothing left to control her with. Her escape from the compound was nothing less than epic, even with the assistance she was given.

It was refreshing to see the mixed bag of reactions to Archie's confession by his colleagues. They gave a truly real-world reaction to his confession - some were horrified, some were apoplectic, some understood the impossible position he had been put in. Even those who eventually forgave him did so only after some time had passed and he had shown further redemption by undertaking basically an almost impossible rescue attempt.

Sad to see DAG go but hopefully they'll pop up somewhere.
Profile Image for Stephanie Runyon.
421 reviews12 followers
December 26, 2025
Meret was running from her past. While working as a photographer, Meret sensed someone was following her. When she spotted a suspicious man, she wanted to confront him. However, he was gone before she got the chance. Terrified, she mapped an escape plan in her mind. She recalled Essa's smile as she swung a machete at Meret’s grandfather in his hospital bed. Lacking a fully developed plan, she made a decision to run. Meret had done everything she could to evade her slew of enemies in her former life — plastic surgery, an untraceable identity, and moving overseas.
Archie knew he needed help from someone in his past. Using the alias of Barnes, he met with Meret in a coffee shop. She recognized him as the man that had been following her in the park. Archie pleaded with her to help him get his mother to safety. He told her that she knew how to escape from Essa's compound. He even had a team that would be backing them up. Terrified, she bolted from the coffee shop and secured herself in her apartment. She felt empathy for his situation, but it would jeopardize her attempt to lead a normal life. However, her memories of their childhood and the chance to avenge her grandfather’s death led her to agree to help Archie.

Archie had a lot he felt he needed to atone for. He started by admitting being a double agent for Essa to his DAG members. His best friend, Mick, wanted to beat him to a pulp. His mentor, Peter, looked disappointed in him. However, Meret remained steadfast and encouraging. He begged DAG to help him save his mother. Meret stood up. “Save every family, take down Essa.” Shock at her idea set in the air. Several hours later, the DAG had set everything in motion for Meret’s idea.

Taking down Essa would prove difficult and Archie revealed he carried decades of guilty baggage with him. Meret remembered Archie prior to Essa, and she tried to get past his walls.

Stalled Descent is an unpredictable and emotional novel that leads readers deep into the minds of the adult children who have found an idol who saved them and their families from poverty. It shows how they learned Essa’s plan of deception and the guilt they carried for aiding him in “helping their country” was not true. The character growth and development was vividly detailed and placed me in the center of each scene. I was able to understand why Meret carried fear of discovery and why Archie felt that prison was his future. I rate this book five stars because of its relatable characters, the natural dialogue, and the witty remarks that added humor to a dark environment.
772 reviews9 followers
December 27, 2025
Archie McKinley has been living a double life for a long time. He was a mole within DAG and has recently been found out. For over a decade he has been held captive with threats and manipulation by a man named Elliott Essa. The only way he can make things right is to take Elliott down. In order to infiltrate the impenetrable Red Winter compound he needs the help of the team he deceived. He will also need the help of his childhood partner in crime, Meret Shahid. She however barely escaped Red Lake and it could cost her everything to return. Alliances are made but they are shaky at best. Archie is fighting his conscience over his betrayal as well as his growing feeling for Meret. Only one thing is for sure, they must destroy Red Winter and free all the innocent families that are trapped inside. I haven't read any of the other books in this series so I believe it is safe to say that you can read any one of them as a standalone. It is fast paced and can be read in one sitting. I am curious to learn about the other couples from the first few books so I will be going to read those stories. If you are looking for a mix of action and spice this will be right up your ally.
72 reviews2 followers
December 27, 2025
Stalled Descent by Kel O’Connor is part of the DAG series. You could read it as a stand alone or in order. The Characters in the book are great. “Archie” he has other names and his childhood partner in crime “Meret” come back together to help Archie make things right. Archie has done a lot in his life thinking that his father would have wanted it. But then as he is found out, he finds his memories and the reasons to go back and redeem himself. Along the way finding his love again of Meret. This is a great story that has good twists and turns and makes you guess. It also brings the steam and romance. Great book all around.
505 reviews4 followers
March 14, 2026
I enjoyed the story of archie and meret, their pasts and what is happening was actually quite enjoyable. The storyline pacing was just very weird feeling to me to the point it took me out of the book.
Profile Image for Jennifer .
1,690 reviews33 followers
December 19, 2025
Having read and enjoyed the previous books in this series of interconnected romantic suspense stories, I was looking forward to this book and I was not disappointed. Ace pilot Archie is living a double life, then his role as a mole within DAG is exposed. To make things right, and have a chance of redemption, he must take down the man who has held him captive for over a decade with threats and manipulation, Elliot Essa. To infiltrate the impenetrable compound belonging to Red Winter, Archie will need help from the team he’s deceived. He also needs help from photographer Meret, but she barely escaped with her life from Red Winter. The mission is clear, destroy Red Winter’s empire and free the innocent families trapped there. Archie, Meret and the DAG team face uneasy alliances, new threats and shocking revelations, in order to complete the mission. Archie also feels guilty about his betrayal and has growing feelings for Meret. This fast paced and action packed thriller kept me hooked throughout. The chemistry between Archie and Meret sizzled off the page and led to some steamy scenes. I found it difficult to put this enjoyable and engaging story down.


Profile Image for Finn Cunningham.
514 reviews10 followers
December 27, 2025
Stalled Descent is book 4 of "A DAG Team Series" by Kel O'Conner. Unfortunately for me, i havent read any of the others, YET, but I assure you after absolutely devouring this book thats definitely not gonna be the case much longer! This book is truly unpredictable, and an emotional rollar coaster I wish id gotten on sooner! I highly look forward to going back and reading this series from the start!
Profile Image for Angela.
9,376 reviews123 followers
December 15, 2025
4 Stars

‘A man forced to work for the enemy and a woman on the run from her past…’

Stalled Descent is the fourth book in the DAG Team series by Kel O’Connor. As with the other three books, this is a romantic suspense with a bit of a childhood friends-to-lovers element, high stakes, tension, intrigue, secrets, action, adventure, drama, challenges, danger, some mystery, chemistry, steam, teamwork, family, friendship, emotion, and impossible choices.
This is Meret and Archie’s story – and wow Ms. O’Connor definitely didn’t hold back. She upped the ante, threw in some twisty turns, and dialed up the tension to high – plunging me into an action-packed adventure to round out the series.
The book/s in the series could be read as a stand alones if you wanted, as each instalment features a different couple. But, having said that, there are interconnected elements, important details, and storylines that span all four books, so I recommend reading them all (in sequence) in order to fully appreciate the bigger picture of the series as a whole.
Can’t wait to see what Kel O’Connor has in store for us next.
Happy Reading…
Profile Image for Lisa.
3,871 reviews22 followers
December 16, 2025
Wow! Another great installment in this series. The action and suspense are off the charts! I could hardly put this down! I enjoyed both of these main characters, the struggles they previously had and to see if they can overcome it all to be happy at the end. Both characters had personal strengths and weaknesses to contend with and of course fguring out how to get forever free. I feel like this is the last in the series even though it never officially says but gives hints. It was wonderful seeing all the DAG family again! Some had more front stage rolls than others but it seems everyone was happy at the end.
Profile Image for Kerry  carr.
2,016 reviews26 followers
December 22, 2025
This is the 4th book in the DAG Team series. These books could be read as standalone as each one focuses on a different couple, however there are stories and links that run through the series so I do recommend reading them in order to get the full story. This is a romance suspense read with a friends to lovers element. It also contains danger, trauma, twists and turns, finding forgiveness and redemption, challenges and so much emotion.

This is Meret and Archie’s story. Meret and Archie grew up as friends. When they were given the chance to improve their and their families lives they took it without realising what they were getting into.
Fast forward and Meret and Archie realise that they have been trained to help the worst person alive. They were used. That is until Meret escaped and went into hiding.
However no one leaves within consequestions and Merets escape cost her grandfather his life.
Meanwhile Archie is a double agent, working for DAG as well as keeping tabs on his mother and the dangerous place she is living. He wants to leave but he can't leave his mother so he reaches out to his DAG team and Meret for help. However doing this will bring into the open the fact that Archie is leading a double life.
Will the DAG team help him after learning of his betrayal? Will they be able to save his mother? Can they finally bring this dangerous man to an end or will Archie and Meret always have to be looking over their shoulders?
This is a fast paced story when I was so engrossed in. I wasn't about to put it down once I started.
Profile Image for Jessica Godwin.
258 reviews6 followers
December 22, 2025
This is the gripping fourth installment in the DAG Team series, delivering a high-stakes blend of romantic suspense and redemption. The story focuses on Archie McKinley, an ace pilot who has spent years living a double life. Having been exposed as a mole within the DAG, Archie is desperate to dismantle the "Red Winter" compound and take down the man who has manipulated him for over a decade, Elliot Essa. To pull off the impossible mission, Archie must team up with Meret Shahid, his childhood partner-in-crime. Meret is a photographer living on the run from her own dark past with Red Winter. Their reunion is charged with old ghosts, deep-seated guilt, and an undeniable chemistry that complicates an already life-threatening mission. Unlike previous heroes in the series, Archie starts the book from a place of deep betrayal. Seeing him earn back the trust of his former teammates adds a layer of emotional weight to the action. The atory is packed with tactical operations, narrow escapes, and a final showdown with Elliot Essa that feels earned and satisfying. This is an intense, steamy, and emotionally charged read. While it works best if you’ve read the first three books (due to the interconnected plot regarding the DAG team’s betrayal), O’Connor provides enough context for it to be enjoyed as a standalone romantic thriller.
Profile Image for Bobbi Wagner.
5,135 reviews69 followers
December 16, 2025
This story is part of a series that I have enjoyed reading from the first book I picked up. This is the fourth book in this series but it can be read as a standalone. I highly suggest reading the previous book in this series to help your enjoyment of the characters in this series. This is a thriller story that has some spicy romance to it. It is a story of redemption and how much you are willing to pay for that. Archie has been living a double life but now that he has been exposed he needs to make things good again. In order to fix things Archie needs to take down one man but he will need the help of his childhood partner in crime, Meret. The problem is that she has her own demons and those things could cost her. Together they have one mission but they just may find something else along the way. I enjoyed both characters and what they brought to the story. They are strong, determined, engaging, connectable characters that made their story easy to read. I enjoyed watching their growth and how they made me want to know more. The twists and turns in this story had me sitting on the edge of my seat and turning pages fast. This is a hard to put down story and one you don’t want to miss. I really enjoyed reading this story and I highly recommend it.
2,002 reviews24 followers
December 26, 2025
Stalled Descent: A DAG Team Series by Kel O'Conner. This is the 4th book in the DAG Team series and I highly recommend reading them in order to get a better feel for all the characters and story lines. This is a romantic suspense which is my favorite genre so I knew I would love this one! This Meret and Archie's story. Meret and Archie made a choice to help their families the best way they could and they end up realizing that they are working for the worst person ever. Meret has gone into hiding after escaping and Archie is trying to help his mother but he knows without Meret's help there is no way he can pull it off. Archie is a double agent, he works for DAG plus he works keeping tabs on his mom and the awful place she lives. Without the help of the DAG team he will never be able to save his mom. Will he be able to find Meret and then convince her to come back to help him. Will Meret agree to help Archie and will they both be able to finally live without looking over their shoulders the rest of their lives? Such a fun fast paced romantic suspense! I loved it!
Profile Image for Robin Rankin.
1,235 reviews5 followers
December 27, 2025
Stalled Descent: A DAG Team Series: Book 4 of 4 Special Ops Romantic Thriller

Archie and Merit's story was a long time coming. They knew each other and were very close as kids, but circumstances separated them. After some time they reconnect while it wasn't anything like when they were kids they slowly build that back while dealing with a very dangerous person who is also connected to them and their past.

Merit is an incredibly strong woman, she did stuff that was necessary at that time to survive but she didn't let it break her. She built a pretty successful life after the fact.

Archie has so many things going on with him. He wasn't always on the right side of things but deep down he has always been a good person.

Their story wasn't the usual suspense romance and I liked it.
Profile Image for Shannen.
1,115 reviews26 followers
December 27, 2025
This book is a rollercoaster of emotions, action, and suspense! I had only read the third book in the series, but after picking up this final installment, I am circling back to read the first two. They really are that good! The tension was dialed up to 11 here, but nothing felt forced, which is an incredible balance. Archie has to make some tough decisions after his past is exposed, and the stakes couldn’t be higher as he teams up with his childhood friend Meret Shahid. They team up to take down the dangerous Red Winter organization, but their chemistry is wholly undeniable. The author packed the plot with tension, mystery, and a fair number of jaw-dropping twists that took me by complete surprise. The romance is satisfying, and the ending, while hard-earned, feels like the perfect payoff after all the chaos. Don’t skip this one!
Profile Image for Katie Burgess.
303 reviews
December 23, 2025
Stalled Descent is an easy 4-star read that pulls you in fast and keeps the tension high the whole way through. Archie’s double-life struggle and quest for redemption feel emotional and earned, and Meret is such a strong, layered character with a past that adds real weight to the story. Their history together gives the romance depth, and the slow burn mixed with danger, guilt, and trust issues makes every interaction feel meaningful. The action is gripping without overwhelming the character development, and the stakes stay high as they take on Red Winter together. Overall, it’s a satisfying blend of romance, suspense, and heart that works perfectly as part of an interconnected series while still standing strong on its own.
3,176 reviews34 followers
December 16, 2025
This book is the final one of the series and is a great way to bring it all to a close. The characters are so intriguing in this story. They each have so much going on and are ruled by their pasts in different ways. It was great watching them navigate this while also exploring their new reality.
The author has done a great job of weaving together a lot of interconnected and intricate storylines. There seems to be so much going on with this book but it is all handled with apparent ease. The book is exciting and fast paced to read and it was a great way to finish off the series. This is a great book and an overall strong series.
Profile Image for Avid Reader.
831 reviews7 followers
August 18, 2025
Totally loved this book and could not put it down. Archie was groomed as a teenager to be a spy in exchange for a better life for his mother but now as a grown man life looks very different and it may be too late to undo the damage caused and save his loved ones. Meret chose a difficult life to save her grandfather and when he is dying he persuaded her to make her escape but can she ever be truly free. A fast paced action packed book full of twists and turns, heartbreak, brutality, Impossible choices for poor young kids, teamwork, true friendship, love and understanding. Awesome finale.
246 reviews3 followers
December 23, 2025
Two people who were brainwashed as youth to work for a ruthless manipulator cross paths years later. Mary, aka Meret, was the only one to ever escape the clutches of Red Winter, a faction that dealt in trafficking drugs, as well as humans. When Archie, aka Bakari, decides to give up his life as a double agent in order to save his mother, pleads his case to Meret. He knows she is the only one who might be able to actually help him with his plan to double cross Red Winter and to finally be free to live his life. I was hooked almost immediately, and definitely recommend this one.
Profile Image for Cassidy Newell.
51 reviews
December 21, 2025
This is the 4th and final book in this series, but it can be read as a stand alone. This was the first book I have read in this series and I really enjoyed it. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I read the previous books and really got to know more of the characters. This is a redemption arc with action, thrills and some romance. This book kept me on my toes and I really enjoyed watching Archie and Meret navigate their relationship.
145 reviews2 followers
December 23, 2025
This is the final book in the DAG series by author Kel O'Connor. I haven't read the first three books but picked this one up. You could definitely benefit from reading them in order, but it's not a necessity. I enjoy a lot of suspense and drama with a side of romance. This book delivers. It was a fast-paced read. I found I couldn't put it down. You definitely want to be picking this one up!
Profile Image for Ira.
748 reviews14 followers
March 26, 2026
I wanted to like it but I simply couldn't get into it. Maybe I was missing the context, the first three books but it felt confusing and not very romantic.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews