Sly Dog

by Katt Andrews

Love. It cuts like a knife.

Elias Vasquez doesn’t believe in love—he believes in leverage. As the Sandoval family’s smooth-talking fixer, Elias keeps the criminal underworld in line with a smile and a whisper. When a cryptic Bratva message lands in his lap, his orders are get close to its source—Natalie Morris, the razor-sharp founder of Crimson Quill Press--and take advantage of the situation for the Sandovals.

But Natalie has a past even her enemies don’t see. She walked away from the Bratva years ago and built an empire of her own. Now a “blood oath” drags the Russians to her door. And Elias is the only man standing between the future she wants and the one finally catching up to her.

Elias needs control. Natalie wants to give in but can't stop herself from defying him at every turn. Together they’re a matched ice and flame, knife and sheath.

Sly Dog is a dark, steamy crime romance set in the Guard Dogs world—packed with cartel intrigue, Bratva politics, and a relationship dynamic that starts as protection…and becomes surrender.

Perfect for readers who

Bodyguard/warden energyDominant MMC × powerful, secret-heavy FMCHidden identity & found familyNightclub glamour, surveillance, and slow-burn tensionKnife-sharp banter and filthy heat

347 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 1, 2026

About the author

Hi! I'm Katt Andrews and I write dark, dangerous romance where obsession smolders, loyalty cuts deep, and desire always wins. My stories are full of heat, grit, and morally gray men who will burn the world down for the women they can’t live without.

Texas features big in my novels because I was born and raised in San Antonio. I now lives in Houston with my husband, three kids, and a miniature dachshund named Daisy who definitely thinks she’s the boss. When I'm not writing, you’ll find me on the tennis court or deep down research rabbit holes about weapons smuggling, cartel dynamics, or which gun fits best in a thigh holster.

I believe every good love story should come with high stakes, emotional scars, and at least one violent interrogation.

You can stay up to date on the Guard Dogs (because there's more to come!), visit my website - https://kattandrews.com/newsletter.

Reviews

[Stephanie Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first Katt Andrews book I’ve read and it definitely won’t be my last!! I so devoured this book and this book pulls you right in. Natalie strong and makes Elias feel understood and wanted. I love Elias and Natalie is just what he needs. They’re kind of perfect together. If you’re looking for a spicy, dark, suspenseful read then this book is for you because I highly recommend it. Thank You Katt for letting me be part of this ARC.

[Ashley Lauren (Ash Read It) · Rating 5 out of 5]

ATE🔥🔥🔥🔥 This was an easy five-star read for me.
Sly Dog is dark and addictive 🚩🥵
From the very beginning, the banter pulls you in!!!!
The pacing, the dynamics, the chemistry… everything just works. And then there’s the twist. That I ateee upppp 👀‼️
The twins??? I did not expect that layer, but it added such a chaotic, unhinged energy to the story in the best way possible. It elevated everything and made the reading experience that much more intense and addictive. The characters are bold, messy, and completely captivating, and the spice? Definitely spicing. 😮‍🔥

If you’ve been following the Guard Dog series, this is a must-read. And if you haven’t—this is your sign to start. Katt, absolutely delivered with this one, and I already know I’m going to need more. I will gladly read anythingggg she writes!!!!

[The Book Ssirren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elias and Natalie were perfect from the start. They complimented each other in the best way possible. I loved the intrigue of this story. The twists and turns. The acton and chaos. This drew me in from the first chapter. I was completely invested in this. I loved the way these two worked side by side in so many ways. It’s like they were cut from the same cloth. The spice between them was great. I loved everything about this story. I’m hoping for more soon.

[Jani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for the ARC copy 🖤
Sly Dog pulled me in fast with its dark, gritty vibe and didn’t let go. This book delivers everything I love in a crime romance danger, tension, and a morally gray hero you know you shouldn’t love… but absolutely do.It’s dark, spicy, and packed with suspense perfect for fans of possessive, slightly unhinged heroes and high-stakes romance

[Lauren Peters · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW: Book 3 of the Guard Dog Series

Thank you so much to Book Funnel and Katt Andrews for the opportunity to be an ARC reader for this book! I could not wait for these two! Natalie is one of my favorite characters!! Let’s freaking go!

Duel POV: Elias and Natalie
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️ 🌶️

Tropes:
🪶Fake Engagement
🪶Slow Burn
🪶Forced Proximity
🪶Dark romance/mafia vibes
🪶Hidden Identity
🪶Found Family

We are back in the Guard Dog universe and once again I love that Katt brings in all the Texan culture to her books and this one is set in Houston!
Hometown shout out baby!
We jump in to this story when Natalie asks Elias, the Sandoval’s fixer and negotiator, for help when her father’s past resurfaces with blood oaths and old debts.
The Russians want her business she built on her own for themselves for nefarious purposes. Elias agrees to a fake engagement for her protection. What begins as a farce slowly transforms into something not as fictional, at least to them, if only in his apartment. Will they be able to get out of the predicament they find themselves in or will it become an even bigger mess of the heart? With control and power on the line, Katt takes you on an adventure of political intrigue of where your loyalties truly lie and always keeps her promise of a steamy crime romance. This was so good and the last ten chapters get crazy!
I do need the alien romances to come back though so already ready for the next one!

Sly Dog is releases on April 1, (and that’s not a joke) so get your preorder in today!

#spicydarkromance #morallygreymen#mafiadarling #arcreview #arcreader

[Brenda Lloyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW SLY DOG by @kattandrewsauthor
Book 3 in this amazing series, you are not going to want to miss this! Available April 1, 2026
Elias is the fixer the one the Sandovals send when things need taken care of. He knows his place and where he belongs. But when Natalie the owner of the publishing house they have ties with is in trouble with the Russians he has no problem following her lead in a small little lie. Now torn between his made family and following his heart they both must work together and save Natalie from secrets coming back for her.
On a personal note:
I love Elias, really I do. I want more of him and Natalie he is strong but needs love and Natalie is strong but needs to lose control and them together, is the perfect combination.
Thank you Katt for the chance to read their story.
this is slow burn book. but the story is so good. reading book1 and 2 is probably for the best as you get to know each character.

[Megan Rhoads · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐️ Elias and Natalie’s story started out due to necessity. I think they are both very black cat in a way. I liked the mafia/organized crime aspect. Waiting for almost 70% for any form of spice was wild. I enjoyed the forced proximity aspect and the plot tension towards the end.

[Kortney Liston · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚☕️‼️

Katt Andrews delivered on this book and I’m so glad I got an ARC! It was a quick and intense read!

If you want a book about a heroine who has built her life and her business from nothing then this is it! Natalie escaped a life with one bag and the clothes on her back and built a new identity in a new place just to have her old life find her and order her around. Her and Elias bright this book to life.

Elias immediately took on the protector role even against his job description! He created a safe space for her and helped give her the confidence she needed to fight back. Enough confidence that she saved him in the end!

Katt Andrews did such a great job with bringing the Russians and the Sandovals to life and made it easy for you to picture and feel the fear and strength while following along with the characters!

Elias will definitely be added to my book boyfriend list and I can’t wait to read the rest of this series!

Also, I’m paranoid about microplastics now and might get an actual coffee machine instead of the pods! 🤣🤣

Great job Katt! You captivated me in all the right ways! I give this 4 ⭐️’s!

[Jennifer and Scott Alpard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished Sly Dog by Katt Andrews and I genuinely could not put it down. It is a mature, high heat, dark romance! This is the third book in the series, and it just keeps getting better.

We’ve got:
• A cartel fixer/negotiator with a knife obsession
• A romance publisher with secret Bratva ties
• Constant, high-stakes danger
• A slow-building, undeniable kink/chemistry
• One bodyguard who is absolutely about to snap

It’s intense, addictive, a little naughty and wildly entertaining from start to finish. I highly recommend it—this would make a perfect beach read, or honestly any kind of read, because once you start, you won’t want to stop.

If you haven’t read Guard Dog or Watch Dog by Katt Andrews you will definitely want to do that!

[Melissa Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐'s rounded up
Sly Dog is book 3 in the Guard Dog interconnected standalone series. Books 1 and 2 are not necessary, however I highly recommend them.
One thing I love most about Katt Andrews is that her FMC 's are always bad a§§ women! I loved Natalie! She had strength and perseverance. She is the true definition of Boss Lady!! She gave me major Devil wears Prada Vibes.
Elias was strong, protective and so very guarded. I enjoyed the chemistry and dynamic they had together. They had a good, slow burn, filled with some tension and definitely some banter.
These Guard Dogs are definitely a good time!

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sly Dog by Katt Andrews completely hooked me from start to finish. I honestly didn’t want to put it down. Natalie is such a great heroine - she’s strong, capable and never feels like a passive character waiting to be saved. What I loved most is how she makes Elias feel wanted and understood. Their dynamic adds real emotional depth to the story and makes their relationship feel genuine and real. Another thing I really appreciated was how characters from books 1 and 2 circle back into the story. It made their relationship feel world feel connected and rewarding for readers who follow the series. And bringing the Bratva into the mix was a fantastic addition - it raised the stakes and added another layer of tension and intrigue. Between the strong heroine, the intense chemistry between Natalie and Elias, and the Expanding crime -world storyline, this book was a total page turner. If you enjoy dark romance with strong characters and a gripping plot, this one is absolutely worth reading!

[Kathleen R · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the words of Brittany Spears, “give me, give me more, give me more, give me, give me…..more”

I got this book as an advance copy. I read the first two books km this series and this one does not disappoint.

Sly Dog delivers exactly what fans of dark romance are looking for: tension, passion, danger, and characters you can’t quite trust—but can’t stop rooting for. It’s a strong follow-up that leaves you invested in what comes next.

[Yesenia Diaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW
Sly Dog is the 3rd book in the series Guard Dog. I enjoyed reading the slow burn between Elias and Natalie. It was an enjoyable read especially since it had Mafia/organized crime, I do enjoy a good book with mafia in it 🤭. While reading i absolutely loved Natalie she is such a baddie. This a series so there are 2 more books before this one read if love slow burn, forced proximity, and dark romance.

[Laura La · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this as an ARC, and as part of a series, it definitely helps to already be familiar with the world, but it’s not a must. The mafia/crime side adds a nice layer of tension, and the story keeps things moving without losing focus on the characters.

[Victoria Wyatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Natalie is under Elias protection due to the Russians and her past. Elias was an intriguing character and even once he and Natalie got close he didn't believe he should be with her. How he could feel what he felt for her despite not having feelings when did anything. He was a cold man but not with her. She was a strong character as well. Good story.