Anna “Ace” O’Hara, a sharp-witted news anchor, thought she’d left her whirlwind Vegas marriage to ex-cop Archer Papadopoulos firmly in the past. But when an old mafia threat resurfaces, targeting her as retribution for Archer’s actions years ago, her ex-husband crashes back into her life with a singular to protect her.
Archer, now the head of a private security firm, never stopped watching over Ace from afar, but their reunion reignites unresolved feelings and the fiery chemistry they once shared. As they navigate imminent danger, Ace and Archer must confront the choices that drove them apart years ago while working together to outwit a relentless enemy. Amidst the chaos, old wounds and lingering love collide, forcing them to decide if their shared history can be a foundation for a future—or a recipe for heartbreak.
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.
This was a DNF for me. It did not hold my interest, the MCs don't have an chemistry and the romance is too forced. Plus, this line just about ruined it for me:
“It’s not your problem, Archer. I’m not your problem.”
“You’re right. You’re not a problem. But you are my soulmate—and I’m yours,” he responded so simply.
I was about to argue with him on that point, but he spoke again quickly.
“I am,” he said firmly but without judgment. “I know you don’t see it that way anymore, but I never stopped being yours, and you never stopped being mine.”
“I know you care about me, and on some level, I still care about you too,” I explained. “We were married, albeit briefly, so naturally there will be some level of caring. You can’t tell me you’ve been celibate this whole time waiting for me?”
“Ace, I’ve fisted my cock to you more nights than I care to admit these last few years,” he told me, shocking me. “And this is probably TMI, but almost a year ago, I had a few drinks at the pub and went home with a woman.”
Oh God, I did not want to hear this. I started shaking my head, trying to give him the hint, but he just kept on talking.
“I called her Ace while I was having sex with her—twice.”
Outwardly, my body was still as my eyebrows lifted practically to my hairline. Inside, though, it felt somewhat exhilarating hearing that he wanted me, though I was also slightly embarrassed for the other woman.
“So, no, I haven’t been celibate, but as much of a dick as it might make me seem, you were never far from my thoughts.”
In this quote, he makes it seem that he only had sex that one time with an OW while thinking of FMC, but in earlier chapters he mentioned that he was not celibate and had been with other women - plural and no mention of thinking of FMC when he was having sex with them.
If I remember correctly, she too was not celibate during separation and she didn't come across as pining for him or having
Anyway, not for me as I like my MCs to be faithful during separation - especially if you are going to throw the word "soulmates" around.
My thoughts: this was a good book to binge in a few days. It’s was a great second-chance romance, and the plot twist was a great surprise! I think it would have packed a better punch for me had I read the other books in the series, so they are on my list! This one had some spicy scenes. Romantic suspense is my favorite! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
5 years ago Anna and Archer met in Vegas and spent a passionate night together which led to an impulsive Vegas marriage. After quickly getting a divorce these two parted ways and haven't been in touch since.
Years later, Archer walks back into her life to protect her when a threat is made against him and his family. Even though they have been divorced for years and only married for a grand total of 72 hours, the threat is still made against Anna too.
Archer, a former police officer and now part owner of a security company, vows to protect Anna. He brings her to come live with him to keep her safe until the threat is neutralized. And hopefully he can convince her that he made a mistake all those years ago because he never stopped loving her.
This was the fourth book in this series and while I always try to start with the first book in any series, this was such a fun way to be introduced to these bad ass guys and their female counterparts.
The writing was clear and concise. There was no fluff or fills which I really enjoyed. It was to the point and the main characters, while exes, didn't argue with each other. They respected and listened to each other and their needs which was super refreshing. I liked the flashbacks to how they met and it made you feel their instant attraction and chemistry between the two which made it so easy to see them in the present day and feel the attraction that still remained.
The story itself was a pretty standard plot but I love second chance romance so this was right up my ally. Overall a super enjoyable book!
Huge thanks to @bookedwiththeemilys @authorallisonbettes for sharing this book’s digital advanced review copy with me in exchange for an honest review.
I am enjoying this series, each story has lingered on my mind after I have finished. I was waiting on Archer’s story; I was not disappointed. I am a huge second chances fan.
Archer and Anna/Ace met and had a Vegas wedding, They ended it with a divorce some years ago, but Archer is back in her life as a threat is after them both.
This time things are different, the chemistry is there, Archer has not forgotten her, and he plans to not let her go this time. He will have to do the work to get her back. She is not sure if she wants a second chance.
The story starts with the threat and holds you, the balance between thrills and romance kept me turning pages. The intensity is there throughout. We also get their full story, the past hurt and baggage, to find that their love is real and working back to it.
This book can stand alone, but I recommend starting at the beginning of the series.
Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
This series has been one of my favorites this year. I was excited to finally get to Archer’s story!
Archer and Anna (Ace) are everything you could want in a second chance romance. They had a Vegas wedding years ago that ended in divorce. Now, a threat to both of them has forced them back together.
Archer has never forgotten Anna. He will do everything he can to win her back. I loved seeing how things unfolded for them. They had amazing chemistry. He knew he had his work cut out for him but he was also very patient with Anna. She was understandably hesitant to give him another chance. The suspense (as always with this author) kept me guessing and was so exciting to read. I’m sad to see this series end but I am very excited for what’s next!
Ana and her friends are in Las Vegas having a great time and doing a little bit of gambling at the blackjack table. Next to Ana is a very attractive guy named Archer who is absolutely amazed with how well Ana is doing at blackjack that he even calls her “Ace.” After a great time, Ana and Archer actually get married in Las Vegas. The two keep in touch, but one day, Archer divorces Ana, which leaves her heartbroken.
One day, Archer and Ana meet up again because Archer needs to take Ana to a safe spot. Archer is an ex-cop and someone from the mafia, wants to retaliate by going after Archer and Ana.
Will Archer be able to protect and keep Ana safe? Will Ana ever forgive Archer for their divorce?
This was an amazing read as it flowed so well and the characters are very likable. This book just jumped right into action and while there is some spice, it really doesn’t take away from the book. I can’t believe I finished this book so quickly, but I can believe it because this book is a great one!
Release date: September 23, 2025. Don’t wait to get yours!
This is the fourth book in the Ranger Shield Security Novel series and it did not disappoint. This book follows Archer, ex Las Vegas cop turned private security, and Anna “Ace” as they are reunited when a hit is placed on both their heads by the mafia. While the circumstances are awful, Archer doesn’t miss the opportunity to reconnect with his ex-wife Ace. Will Archer get a second chance with Ace and neutralize the threat looming over both of them? Gotta read it to find out!
While this book is not as spicy as Allison’s other books, the main characters back stories are rich and well developed. It’s hard not to love Ace for being a badass and crush on Archer!
Also be sure to check out Allison’s other 3 books in this series! They are easy wonderful reads!
ARC Review: 4⭐️ Restart & New Revenge is book 4 in the Ranger Shield Securiry series featuring Archer Papadopoulos & Anna ‘Ace’ O’Hara.
Five years ago Archer & Anna meet on the Vegas strip while playing blackjack and they have a whirlwind romance that leads to a quickie wedding and an even quicker divorce.
Now, a criminal that Archer put away when he was a cop puts out a hit on him and his wife - not realizing they’re divorced. Archer shows up at Anna’s job and informs her she’ll need to go into protection of him & his security business until the threat can be neutralized.
They must work together to flush out the responsible ones while not putting themselves in danger. When they return to Vegas to remarry under the nose of those searching for them, will they make it out safely ?
I enjoyed this story as it was told from both POVs and dual timelines of past and present. The threat on them kept me hooked from the start and I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen!
I'm on fence with this one. the style of the story wasn't something that one read before. so it kind of left me a little disinterested. but i did enjoy the action, chaos, and romance in it. I think it was pretty cool that whole thing throws in a post that resurfaced and left the two of them diving into those past moments and sorting them out. I feel like i would've enjoyed this more had I read the other books first. so i might go back and read those and then read this again.
I received this as an ARC and I'm leaving a voluntary review
This was such a great addition to the series ! Quick easy read but so good and I couldn’t put it down. I literally sped through it. Love the FMC and MMC - their energy and back and forth! Soo good!
Restart and New Revenge is the fourth book in Allison Bettes Ranger Shield Security series and my first book by her. I don’t like to start series in the middle of them but it worked out cause I didn’t miss anything major about the previous couples because there was a nice couple run down when Anna met the women of Archer’s friends and coworkers.
This is a romantic suspense second chance story where he falls hard and fast. Archer and Anna got married in Vegas and then quickly divorced only to be reunited years later when a hit has been put out on both of them. Archer makes his intentions clear from the beginning he regretted the way they ended and he wants a second chance but Anna is extremely hesitant even with feelings still there.
I want to go back and read the previous books to learn more about the other couples and the creation of the company. All the books are available on KU- winning!
Thank you @bookedwiththeemilys @authorallisonbettes for this eARC and a spot on the book tour!
⭐️🦖⭐️ Spicy second chance romance with suspense and surprising twists. This is a quick read at under 300 pages, which you can easily read in a day. Even though I had not yet read the other books in the series, it did not impact the story. You get a recap of the characters from previous books, and get introduced to new characters that will have their own series soon, so lots of characters to get invested in. Great build-up of suspense and tension with some spice and few twists thrown in that I wasn’t expecting. Overall, I really enjoyed the story and have added the previous books to my TBR. If you are in the mood for a romantic suspense, this is a great pick.
I received this book as an ARC. Thank you to the author and Booked with Emilys for this gifted book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thank you to @bookedwiththeemilys and @authorallisonbettes for the #gifted copy.
4⭐️ I had a really good time with this story. Loved the second chance, forced proximity, it was always you, and secrets tropes. Can’t get enough of a super devoted MMC. Even a little stalkerish one could say. If you enjoy a touch of mafia romance and a good palate cleanser book, give this a try. It’s was a nice shift from my last few reads
Book four in the Ranger Shields Security series delivers another fast-paced romantic suspense full of danger, passion, and found family vibes. Each installment strengthens the bond between the four protective heroes and the strong women who match them. In this one, Ace’s secrets collide with Archer’s protective instincts, and I loved how she pushed for equal control—not just in fighting off the threats against them, but also in their relationship. Their chemistry is fiery, the suspense keeps the pages turning, and it’s the perfect weekend read. While this can be read as a standalone, the interconnected storylines make the series even more rewarding if read in order. Bonus: all books are on KU!
Vegas? Check. Fake marriage? Check. Brooding bodyguard who falls first? Check. This book has it all. Suspense. Swooning. Spice. I loved the connection between Ace and Archer. This was my first book by Allison Bettes and it won't be my last!
This might be my favorite book out of the entire series, and it was truly the best book to end this series as well. Allison simply doesn’t miss and I loved her attention to detail in this book so much! Getting Anna & Archers back story and then seeing them reconnect was something every second chance girly LOVES. Archer being down bad for her even after all these years I LOVE A SIMP. I simply just loved this book so much and I loved seeing the characters from the other books coming into play here as well <3
3.5 📖 Anna O’Hara was just minding her own business at a “work-ish” event when the last person she expected to see, Archer Papadopoulos shows up. Archer isn’t just an ex-cop, but he happens to be Anna’s ex-husband, from a wild weekend in Vegas. Where she thought they had found true love, she was left in the dust shortly after by Archer, and is just seeing him for the first time. She also doesn’t expect him to tell her the mafia has a hit on the two of them. Now Anna has to stay under Archer’s watchful eye to make sure they can stay safe. But being this close to each other again is not easy.
📝I love romantic suspense books! They add both the romance and the on your toes feeling you get from a thriller. This was a fun read and I enjoyed reading about Anna and Archer re-connecting. I would love to read the rest of the books in this series!
Read if you love: 🤍Second Chance 🤍Bodyguard 🤍Forced Proximity 🤍It Was Always You
Okay listen. This book? Absolutely DELIVERED. I laughed, I gasped, I yelled at the characters like I was a third roommate in their forced-proximity hideout. It’s technically part of a series, but you can totally start here (me? chaotic order reader supreme ✋). And yes, all the past books are on Kindle Unlimited so… there goes my weekend plans.
We’ve got Anna “Ace” O’Hara and Archer Papadopoulos (yes, a name that sounds like he should own a yacht, but he’s actually a grumpy security boss). One wild Vegas night, one marriage, one heartbreak… and YEARS later? BOOM. Mafia danger, second-chance drama, and Archer showing up like “surprise, babe, I never actually stopped protecting you.” Cue the sparks. Cue the angst. Cue ME, feral in the corner.
Tropes?? Ohhh they came marching in like a whole dang parade: ✨ Second Chance ✨ One-Night-Stand-But-Not-Really ✨ He Falls First (and oof, he fell) ✨ Bodyguard who takes his job a little too personally 👀 ✨ Forced Proximity aka “there’s only one bed but also danger??” ✨ It Was Always You (my heart. my SOUL.) ✨ Plot Twist that had me looking like the Pikachu meme
Basically, this book is the definition of a chef’s kiss. Romantic suspense + messy emotions + “how dare you still love me after all these years” energy = perfection. If you like your love stories a little dangerous, a little heartbreaking, and a LOT swoony, you’re gonna devour this one.
Thank you, @bookedwiththeemilys and @authorallisonbettes for this gifted copy. I will be spiraling until further notice.
rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ spice: 🌶️.5/5 Once again, Allison Bettes delivers an incredible blend of romance and suspense in Restart & New Revenge. This time, she gives us a second-chance love story wrapped in a high-stakes thriller that doesn’t let up for a single moment.
I really loved how the story balances both timelines: we get glimpses of Ace and Archer’s whirlwind beginning while fully experiencing their reunion years later. Nothing feels rushed or glossed over—we actually see them work through the long road to reconciliation, and that makes their story all the more satisfying.
The thriller element kicks off right from chapter one, and there’s never a moment where the danger fades into the background. The balance between the pulse-pounding plot and the romance is spot on, keeping me on the edge of my seat the whole time. Compared to previous books in the series, the spice is a bit lighter, but honestly, it fits perfectly here—it would have felt out of place with the intensity of the story.
I also really appreciated how the second-chance aspect was handled—no instant forgiveness or easy fixes, just two people who still care deeply about each other finding their way back through all the hurt and history. As always, fans of the series will enjoy the cameos from familiar faces, but new readers can absolutely pick this one up as a standalone.
Another hit in the series, and now I’m even more excited to see where Allison Bettes takes us next.
I need more books where a couple divorces and then somehow gets pushed back together. This trope seems like a great jumping off point for a lot of potential plots, one of them being Restart & New Revenge.
After a quickie Vegas wedding and quickie divorce, it seemed like the end for Anna and Archer. Yet when someone from Archer's past puts a hit out on them both not realizing they're divorced, Archer and Anna are thrown back together. It's the second chance Archer has been waiting for, but will Anna give him that redemption he's seeking? There's hurt and hesitancy tempered with the chemistry that clearly never died.
This was fast paced and fun! It features a tight knit group of friends from previous books. Having not read any of the prior books, I do think reading them would probably enhance the reading experience here. That being said, you won't lose any major background information for Anna and Archer. Toss in some suspense and this a great afternoon or weekend read!
💙 Forced Proximity 💙 Bodyguard 💙 One Week Stand 💙 Second Chance 💙 Found Family 💙 Romantic Suspense 💙 It Was Always You 💙 Plot Twist 💙 He Falls First
Thank you to the author and Naughty Nook PR for the gifted copy!
Thank you to @authorallisonbettes and @bookedwiththeemilys for the #gifted book.
This captivating installment marks book 4 in the Ranger Shield Security series and stands strong as a standalone read.
Years ago, Archer and Anna made impulsive vows in Las Vegas, only to see their marriage dissolve after a week. Now, an unexpected threat is forcing them to confront their past and each other, once again.
This novel is a gripping blend of suspense and romance that pulls you in from the very first chapter. The tension is palpable and never lets up, keeping you on the edge of your seat. The second-chance romance is beautifully crafted, and the dual timeline effectively weaves together Archer and Anna's initial connection and the urgent peril they currently face.
The supporting characters from the security company add depth and entertainment, with several familiar faces from previous books that left me eager for their stories, all available on Kindle Unlimited.
If you enjoy a thrilling romantic suspense filled with second chances, this book is a must-read. Don't miss out, it's available now!
Holy moly, this book grabs you from the first chapter and doesn’t let you up for air until the end!
I fell in love with the suspense that Allison adds to her books, and they truly just keep getting better! The stories leave you guessing, and you don’t know what to expect until you are right in the midst of the scene with the characters!
Archer and Anna are so strong and don’t take any crap from anyone. I love that he kept tabs on her for years to make sure that she was always safe no matter where she was!
The best part of these books is that all of our favorite characters come back with cameos! And the official wedding scene during this book made me so happy! These characters are so well done, that you can’t help but continue to root for them!
This is clearly an interconnected series, so you can’t go wrong starting anywhere. But you know me, I’m going to encourage you to start at the beginning so you can meet everyone and get the full depth of Ranger Shield Security 🧡
You will love Restart & New Revenge if you love 🧡 Second Chance Romance 🧡 Forced Proximity 🧡 Found Family 🧡 “It was always you”
This thrilling romance combines captivating suspense with irresistible second-chance love, making it a must-read whether you're new or following the series. I enjoyed the balance romance and the suspense in this story, which despite being part of a series can definitely be read as a standalone. However, after meeting the other characters, I’m interested in now reading their backstories (which are available on Kindle Unlimited). This group of fictional friends is one of the best I’ve come across! If you’re in the mood for a redemption second chance romance, this one delivers. Anna wasn’t prepared to face her past when her ex-husband, Archer, suddenly reappears to protect her from a mafia hit targeting them both. She had put their whirlwind marriage behind her and chalked it all up as a mistake when Archer walked away from her years ago. Now, forced together, it’s hard to deny the sparks between them. Can Archer convince Anna, the woman he’s never stopped loving, to take a chance on him once again?
A very bingeable read that’s great for readers who love the bodyguard trope!
Thank you partner, Booked with the Emilys, and the author, Allison Bettes, for a gifted e-arc. All opinions are my own!
Short Synopsis: One night in Vegas. Years of distance. And now? He’s the only one who can keep her safe. Anna “Ace” O’Hara thought her whirlwind marriage to Archer Papadopoulos was nothing more than a scorching mistake. But when a mafia threat resurfaces—one that traces back to Archer’s old life as a cop—Ace becomes the target. Now the grumpy security boss and the woman he never stopped watching from afar are stuck side by side, forced into hiding, old sparks turning into full-blown fire.
My Thoughts: I flew through this book in just one day. It was an easy read and had a ton of banter. While the dialogue and setting were enjoyable, I didn’t feel super connected to the characters or their background together.
Read this one if you like: ✨ Second Chance ✨ One-Night-Stand ✨ He Falls First ✨ Bodyguard ✨ Forced Proximity ✨ It Was Always You ✨ Plot Twist
Restart & New Revenge by Allison Bettes is my first experience reading this author’s work and I will definitely be reading more – in fact, I think I’ll add the first 3 books in this Ranger Shield Security Series to my wish list. After getting to know Anna “Ace” and Archer and spending time with the other characters from the first 3 books, I want to read their stories as well. I felt the story line was well developed and the book was well written. Romantic suspense is my favorite and this checked all the boxes for me in this genre, while still giving me the “feels” of a contemporary romance. I’m also a sucker for second-chance romances especially when the characters had been previously married. Like I said, this checked all the boxes for me as a reader. Looking forward to her next series as well! I’m grateful to have been given the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book through NetGalley.
First and foremost, I really appreciate how well it was written as an interconnected standalone. I could easily get into the story without feeling lost and confused. And this is a forth book in the series, so it really is something. I have a soft spot for obsessed and protective MMC and Archer is exactly that about his Ace! And I liked how their relationship turned into true partnership. What I'm not really a fan of is that the second chance is not 100% convincing. Their feelings then and now. I think that if it was polished a bit more in the story, it could have been truly great!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
✨ Tropes ✨ ❤️Romantic Suspense ❤️Second Chance 🌶️ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ I was waiting for Archer's story and I wasn't disappointed. The chemistry between Archer and Anna was strong. Even though they divorced, Archer had never forgotten her and this time he doesn't want to let go. The balance between thrills and romance were part of what makes Allison Bettes good at what she does. I love a second chance romance because we get to see the full story, what went wrong in the past and how they are finding their way back to each other.This book doesn't have as much spice as the past books in the series but the emotion is powerful.
Archer & Anna have you rooting hard for their second chance at love. Archer’s growling alpha protector persona is downright sexy, & it balances perfectly with the vulnerable moments that crush your heart even as hope rises. The banter, the laughter, & the sparks between them keep the pages flying, while the team’s presence makes everything richer & more dynamic. Anna’s sisters add even more depth, opening the door to endless possibilities. With danger lurking & love blooming, this story hits all the right notes.
3.5⭐️ I enjoyed Archer and Ace together. I always love a good suspense romance so I was excited to read this book. Archer is protective and obsessed with Ace and why wouldn’t he be, she‘s a badass! I will always love a character who’s obsessed with his woman. I do think I would’ve enjoyed this more if I had read the first books in this series even though this is a standalone in an interconnected series. So, I will go back and read those and then reread this one to see if it changes anything for me.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.