The Pilot

Black Hawke Security #7

by Juliette N. Banks

The name is Captain Liam Rutherford, and I'm a former US Airforce Pilot.

Oh, and I'm in love with a woman I can't touch.

Growing up I watched Jessie turn into a woman, date other guys, and shoot hot glances my way… and couldn't do a damn thing. Now, she's moving in with us while getting situated in Los Angeles and her brother – my best friend – is heading to Atlanta for a conference.

JFC. I cannot be left alone with her. I don't know if I'm strong enough anymore to resist her luscious curves and sexy mouth.

Turns out, that's the least of my worries when she gets caught up with the military assignment I'm working on.



THE PILOT is book seven in the Black Hawke Security series, a steamy private security romance with spice and suspense. For readers who love former military alphas, forbidden, brothers best friend tropes, and a happy ever after. Can be read as a standalone.



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

Genres: Steamy

286 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 30, 2026

About the author

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

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

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

Reviews

[Mariaan Belinfante · Rating 4 out of 5]

A childhood crush on her brother's best friend Liam, or so everyone thought. Flaming chemistry, close proximity and unknown trauma factored into the storyline from scratch. Loved both Liam and Jessie's characters. BHS stepped in like a family to protect their own. Scarlett had me squealing with laugh. A quick enjoyable read, trauma and all.

[Kaity · Rating 5 out of 5]

brothers best friend perfection <3

[Kim Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always look forward to a new Black Hawk Security book even if there have been some over the last year that I wasn’t the biggest fan of. This one I was stuck between giving this a 4 and a 5. Ultimately I settled on a 4 because this has been one of the better ones that have come out in the past year. I had some conflicting feelings about it though. For one thing, it has a big rape trigger and this time it actually happens. I was very uncomfortable with it and felt sick when I read the scenes. I had to take a breather and stop for a while. Thankfully it wasn’t at the expense of Liam, nor would it be since he’s the hero of this story. This in itself was hard to read and I can’t even comprehend how Jessie feels. I just didn’t think the book would actually showcase that kind of scene. That aside though, the story was pretty good. I enjoyed reading about Jessie’s attempts to make Liam hers and her flirting. The spice was there, interest and desire. There was definitely no shortage of that but I felt like it was too much a part of the book, especially when Liam was dead set on not doing anything about the attraction and love simmering under the surface. I also didn’t like how everyone seemed to tell Jessie what to do and who she should be with, effectively warning her to not pursue Liam and that they shouldn’t be a thing. She’s old enough to make her own decisions and shouldn’t be kept in a box. I felt like Jayden her brother was doing that, so was Liam and her parents. It felt like they wanted to control her even though it’s out of love and care. What I also didn’t like was how Liam decides to lead her on. I didn’t like how he let her think that they would be together and he’d sleep with her just because he wanted to know the names of the people who raped her. He knew she wouldn’t disclose that information unless she trusted him first. It wasn’t very nice of him especially with how in love she already was with him. It did nothing except mess with her emotions. She was ready to put a ring on it and get pregnant already by him. Liam kept making her think they were going to be serious which fuels the love, desire and emotions for her when he initially didn’t have any intention of taking it further. On top of that, the realization that he feels more for her than he led on to believe after she goes missing seems to be the MO for these last few books and I don’t like the whole realizing you’re in love in times of stress theme. It tarnishes the emotion to me because you should already be feeling that way, it shouldn’t take an event to realize that. When you combine all this blended with my little disappointments and uncomfortable subject and situation, you get a solid 4 because despite all that, the story was good, both Liam and Jessie didn’t annoy me and I was rooting for them the whole way. I’m actually intrigued by Jayden’s story which is the next installment. Maybe now we will finally see what has him so secretive and nervous. It will be nice to see him finally get emotional and fall in love.

[Joanne Barton · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Pilot” is the seventh book in the “Black Hawke Security Series.” This is a steamy private security romance with spice and suspense. For us readers who love former military alphas, forbidden, brothers best friend tropes, and a happy ever after. Liam Rutherford is a former US Airforce Military pilot. Now he is working for Black Hawk Security and loving it. Jesse Rogers is his best friend Jayden’s sister. She has turned up in LA unannounced and Jayden, who is also his roommate, is going away for two weeks….leaving them together. Jesse has been in love with Liam since she was six and has only got stronger over the years. “the hunky, sexy Liam Rutherford. Captain Liam Rutherford. A former Air Force pilot and the man I’ve had a crush on since I can remember.” Will he be able to resist her….

“The warm California breeze whips my hair around me, filling me with all kinds of hope. I close my eyes, still singing, and imagine we are in love. That I have his ring in my hand and…maybe his baby in my belly.
Californian dreaming.”

A thoroughly enjoyable read from one chapter to the next - at times you are metaphorical “on the edge of your chair” wondering what will happen next. You will fall in love with Liam and Jesse, hoping that everything with work out for them. Once I started reading, I could not put this book down! At times you will laugh, you will cry, get angry and frustrated - most of all, you will love the twists! This book will charm “the pants off you” and leave you going back for more. This is a lovely book that will keep you hooked! It has fun, laughs, intrigue, twists that you do not expect, and physical attraction. You will fall in love with Liam and Jesse.

“His mouth lands on mine as the entire world gets a thousand times brighter. As our tongues entangle, and I feel my defenses dissolve, all the desire and love I have pushed down flares to life. I love this man. I want this man. I’ve never wanted anything more in my life and don’t think I will.”

The book has so many twists and turns - from page to page, chapter to chapter, you will not be able to put it down! The story is intriguing from the start and I could not put it down. A thoroughly enjoyable read from page to page, one chapter to the next - at times you are metaphorical “on the edge of your chair” wondering what will happen next. To be quite honest, you will not be able to put this book down - I cannot wait for the next book in this series. Overall, I would highly recommend this book and you will not be disappointed 😊

[Neena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emotional. Cheeky. Spicy. Forbidden 🔥❤

- Standalone romance
- Military romance
- Forced proximity
- His best friends sister
- Happy ever after

Captain Liam Rutherford (age 28)is a former US Airforce Pilot. He now works with our favorite guys at Black Hawk Security.
Jessie Rogers (age 24) is Liam’s best friend, Jayden’s sister. She is staying with them for a few weeks while her brother will be away.

It starts off really well as we see Jessie’s crush on Liam and read the memories of them growing up together. I enjoyed the scenes as they got closer but do wish Jessie had her first time with Liam. I love how she calls him Lim and was happy for their HEA. There was unnecessary drama in the end with Jessie that didn’t feel right as Liam’s feelings are clear and easy communication could have helped.

There is a warning that you should take seriously if you have certain triggers. Jessie must overcome an assault situation so there are some emotional scenes that were handled well as we delve into her vulnerable and insecure thoughts.

The Black Hawke Security boys (and girls) deliver with their cutesy moments and banter. We also get some baby scenes and Scarlett who will always call you out!

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Juliette has done it again. Ladies and gents this is one you just need to read for the pure entertainment it will bring you (please note there is a trigger warning). I mean two people who’ve loved each other since they were kids but just can’t seem to cross that line because of family/friend loyalties, what’s not to love. Liam and Jessie are seriously made to be together and they both know it but because Liam is loyal to his best friend who is Jessie’s older brother Jayden, he just won’t cross that line. Jessie tries like h3ll to get him there but he just won’t budge until he sees the bruises and wants answers. Then everything goes wrong and tragedy forces him to face the reality that he already knew. I’m going to be reading this one again and again it was that much fun.

[Michelle Alleyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always read Juliette’s books in 1 or 2 days because they’re always THAT GOOD! This book was emotionally charged and dealt with trauma. Jess has been in love with Liam forever and Liam has been lying to himself forever. They’re quite the pair! You can feel the electrical charge coming off the pages, it’s so good! When Jess turned to Liam for help, he stepped up and eventually had to save her, which caused him to realize his true feelings. I literally wanted to slap Jayden! I also wanted Bonito to get his comeuppance, so I’m disappointed we didn’t get that. ☹️

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

Liam and Jessie’s story was amazing. Jessie’s trauma led her back to her safe place, Liam and what woman doesn’t need a man like him in their life? Liam is sure to be your next number one book boyfriend. Lots of sexual tension between the two characters makes this book explosive. Could not put it down (who needs sleep before work?)

[Terri Dye · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Pilot is here! I have been WAITING for this one, devoured it all at once and it did not disappoint. Seeing the love develop and be tested, kept me flipping pages fast. I can not get enough of the BHS series.

[April]

Liam and Jessie are the perfect "meant to be" couple.   With all the forces at play preventing their coming together, this was an intense ride!   I definitely enjoyed every moment of their story: Beginning to end, and all drama and emotions it made me feel.

[Shirley · Rating 3 out of 5]

unnecessary sexual detail

I read a lot of books & to be honest although this story line showed promising at the start, it was spoilt in my opinion by so many details regarding oral sex.

[Caitie Wooters · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh…
This one was just OK compared to the rest of the series. It being the second book, they’re becoming kind of redundant. Jessie is kidnapped by a bad guy. Pretty sure that has happened in AT LEAST 2 other books.

[Macha Cauchois · Rating 5 out of 5]

One night read

Couldn't put the book down! Knowing Juliette writes HEA's, I was still turning every page eagerly awaiting for the happy to drop and boy was it worth the wait!

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

 The Pilot is everything you want in an alpha male, protector, happily ever after book. Liam and Jessie have so much chemistry that it can't be contained. This book had me laughing, crying, and so many feelings that I wanted to start it again as soon as I finished it.