Hidden Debt

by Sarah Beth Lane

A hidden debt. A buried betrayal. And the man who won't let her face it alone.

When Everly Holland's home is broken into and threatening messages begin to arrive, she turns to the only person she can Grant McDowell--her late husband's closest friend, and the soldier she's never been able to forget.

As a member of STAG, a covert special operations group, Grant knows danger when he sees it. And someone wants Everly silenced. But as they race to uncover the truth behind her husband's betrayal, passion ignites--and so does the risk.

The deeper they dig, the clearer it Everly was never just collateral. She's the final target.

299 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 30, 2025

Reviews

[Dawnmarie Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 1st book in the Special Tactical Assault Group(STAG)series featuring the gripping, page-turning, attention grabbing, suspenseful, military romance. Grant and Everly's thrilling story is full of action, betrayal, danger, and heat. After Everly's house is broken into she starts receiving threatening messages so she turns to the only person she knows that she can trust Grant. Grant was her late husband's best-friend and he's also a soldier a member of STAG a covert special ops group. Grant knows when he gets to Everly's that she's in danger and if anyone would know danger he would and he also knows that someone wants to silence Everly. I don't want to say anymore and ruin it for anyone else with spoilers. You really need to read this gripping, page-turning, attention grabbing, suspenseful, military romance to see what happens. I would recommend reading this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kandiemarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Special Tactical Assault Group series. It's an exhilarating and phenomenal beginning to a new series. This story follows Everly and Grant. It's a well-written story with an exceptionally strong storyline that ultimately ended in a happy ending. It's got action, betrayal, danger, deceit, drama, and suspense with plenty of twists that had me on the edge of my seat. A new to me author so I'm glad I got the chance to read this book and definitely look forward to reading more from the series as well as more from the author in general. Totally recommend reading.

I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have really enjoyed this book, it flowed well and held my attention throughout. The connection and chemistry between Everly and Grant was good, I liked seeing it develop and I liked finding out about Everly's past, I wanted to hug her and tell her how amazing I thought she was. I really liked seeing these two find their way through the danger and unknown and finding their way to their HEA. I am looking forward to seeing where this series will go.

I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The start of the Special Tactical Assault Group. It's an excellent beginning to the series. The story follows Everly Holland, whose home is broken into and who then starts receiving threatening messages. She seeks help from Grant McDowell, her late husband's closest friend and a soldier she's never forgotten. The book is a captivating mix of drama, danger, suspense, and romance. I found it to be a well-written story with compelling characters and a strong storyline that concludes with a happy ending. I received a copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everly was married to Jeremy who was killed overseas. Her marriage wasn't all she portrayed to others to be. Grant one of his team mates and her friend, that she has secretly liked has come to check on her. You'll never believe what her husband was into and what it's going to take to get her out of it. Awesome series starter.

I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Floraljoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just right:
This was a fabulous romantic suspense novel and a great start to the series. The plot was complex and compelling, whilst the relationship felt fully developed. I liked both Grant and Everley and enjoyed seeing them find happiness and love after what they had gone through. I look forward to reading more from this talented author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[L KQ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mystery Unexpected

Mystery, betrayal and danger are just the beginning to this exhilarating story. When Everly is in trouble after her husband's death, his best friend Grant is there to help. The chemistry between them was expentionally explosive and I couldn't get enough. I really enjoyed this read.

I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc review I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review. Awsome story in this book Everly Holland finds out she has been betrayed and needs help from grant McDowell .

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has given us a suspenseful story that pulls us into the lives of Everly and Grant. The heart pounding story keeps us turning the pages with connection, denial, anger, action and steam.

I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[MsRoman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hidden Debt (Special Tactical Assault Group Book 1) By: Sarah Beth Lane. It was a ok read for me . The story just did not pull me in . However, I liked the characters.