Duty Unleashed

Citadel Solutions #4

by Dominic Pierce

Seven years.

That's how long Jolly has been Ben Garrison's partner. His constant. The only relationship the Citadel Solutions K9 handler has ever trusted completely.

Now the gray is spreading across Jolly's muzzle. The stiffness lingers longer each morning. Ben took the Colorado contract to buy them time. Quiet work. No deployments. Just a man and his dog, figuring out what comes next.

He didn't plan on a little boy whispering through the fence. Or the boy's mother, whose warm, chaotic home feels like everything Ben never knew he wanted.

Kayla sees past his silence. Her son trusts his dog. And Ben starts finding reasons to stay.

But his investigation into police corruption has made dangerous enemies. They've noticed the woman he can't stop watching.

The man who's only ever loved a dog is about to learn what it means to fight for a family.

Both of them are.

Genres: Romantic Suspense, Romance, Military Fiction, Contemporary, Dogs

358 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 20, 2026

About the author

Dominic Pierce is the pen name of a combat Marine veteran and Department of Defense contractor who now channels his adrenaline-fueled past into writing gripping romantic suspense novels.

With firsthand experience in high-stakes operations, foreign assignments, and the unbreakable bonds forged in battle, Dominic brings authenticity, intensity, and heart to every story he writes. His books are packed with danger, passion, and protective heroes who will stop at nothing to save the women they love.

Reviews

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Boy and Someone Else’s Dog

Kayla is a widowed artist with a six year old who moved to Colorado to escape an abusive relationship that scarred her son. She worried about his mental state, especially since her son William spent hours on his knees staring at the privacy fence.

Ben, a K9 handler was working a contract to train the local police force. His dog, Jolly is getting older and is close to retirement. Ben had been worrying that Jolly’s mind was going, as he spent hours staring at the fence in their yard.

Of course, Kayla figures out that the boy and dog are playing before Ben does, and lets him in on the secret. The two grow closer as time passes, and so do the boy and the dog.

This was an excellent story, especially for people who love dogs. I’m sure the person who wrote this had dogs, because no one understands their expressions better. This is a romantic suspense, mildly spicy, and worth five stars.

[Alex (HEABookNerd) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've really enjoyed Dominic Pierce's books in the past, but DUTY UNLEASHED didn't work as well for me. It's a slower pace with lighter suspense compared to the rest of the series and takes place in a small mountain town where Ben is working on training the local police station on K9 protocols. The skill and competence that Pierce writes into his MMCs was still there but overall I found the plot to be pretty boring and that definitely affected by enjoyment of the book.

I also had a harder time with the romance in this one because I was struggling to feel the chemistry between Ben and Kayla. I loved them as individual characters, along with Ben's K9 dog Jolly and Kayla's son William, but as a couple they were kind of flat. Just not my favorite of the series but it might work better for others readers who want a suspense romance that's not so heavy and intense.

Content Warning: past verbally abusive relationship; references to drug abuse, suicide, and PTSD

[Lira]

This was the book I was most looking forward to reading, and I ended up disappointed... maybe I’ll try again in the future, but this book was not what I was promised—literally! In the preview of the previous book, it was about Ben, Jolly, and Lydia. They were all supposed to be infiltrating a cult, and that’s not what happens in this book at all. The FMC is different, and so is the story...

[Read All About It · Rating 5 out of 5]

Citadel’s Ben and Jolly are on assignment to teach a small town about what it takes to be a K9 handler.

Kayla Cafferty is just trying to live her life and take care of her son William. When her son becomes fascinated by a hole in there back fence she meets her neighbor. A man of few words.

This story was a little less suspenseful than the previous books in this series. It makes up for that by being an emotional feast for the senses. A slow burn love story. The connection between William and Jolly is everything!!

Such a fantastic series. If you haven’t tried it yet grab them now.

[Stasi Apple (The Reads of an Apple) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I absolutely adored William and Jolly's relationship. Ben and Kayla were lovely too, but William and Jolly just really made my heart warm. And the epilogue! Not me tearing up with the happiness of the two being best friends! Can't wait until September for Donovan's book!

[Julie Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE this series! I'm typically not a fan of first-person narrative, but the author makes both voices very compelling. These heroes, including taciturn Ben Garrison (I love his two-word sentences!) and his K-9 partner, Jolly, are no exception. Falling in love with the single mom next door wasn't part of his plan, but Jolly and her son, William, had other ideas.

I did suspect who the bad guy was--but I did not suspect who his ally would be as Citadel Solutions try to find the link in the small town's sheriff's department, who is giving intel to the drug-running bad guys so that they don't get caught. I found the climactic confrontation very satisfying.

I wish I had time to go into all my thoughts about all the things I enjoyed in this book--but I will share that I wish I had written that ending. So perfect!

[Trigger Warning Database]

Trigger & Content Warnings

Verbally abusive relationship recounted
Suicide
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Drug abuse mentioned

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific book. It is a little different from the previous books in the series, as the suspense is not as intense throughout the book. It is more of a rollercoaster, with periods of waiting, watching, and investigating, followed by moments of nail-biting action. There is also a sweet romance between two people who weren't looking for it, and between a boy and a dog who need each other.

Kayla and her six-year-old son, William, moved to Summit Falls after leaving a toxic relationship. Kayla is trying to get back to the person she used to be before her ex did a number on her self-confidence. William is quiet and withdrawn from the ex's verbal abuse.

Ben, his K-9 partner, Jolly, and Ben's Citadel partner, Donovan, have come to Summit Falls ostensibly to help the local police department set up a K-9 program. Their undercover objective is to identify what appears to be corruption in the department - someone is leaking information to drug traffickers. Ben rented the house next door to Kayla because of its fenced yard for Jolly.

Ben and Jolly have been together for seven years, and Ben realizes that Jolly is rapidly approaching retirement age. He becomes concerned when he notices Jolly behaving oddly. Kayla also notices odd behavior in William, namely, his parking himself next to the fence between her house and Ben's. I laughed out loud when she realized that William had made friends with Jolly and they were playing games together. She's nervous about telling Ben what's happening, but her words lift a huge weight off his mind. This is the beginning of a beautiful friendship between boy and dog.

It is also the beginning of an unexpected relationship between Ben and Kayla. I loved watching them explore their feelings. Ben's longest-ever relationship is with Jolly, and it takes him a little while to recognize what is happening. Kayla is wary because of how her last relationship ended. However, both are honest, caring, and mature. Neither pushes the other past their comfort zone, which makes it easier to be open when they are ready to talk. Kayla falls even harder for Ben when she sees how he treats William. The mud scene was especially moving. I adored how Ben stepped up to help out the school and gave William a chance to shine.

The suspense of Ben and Donovan's undercover mission was excellent. You could feel their frustration when raids failed, and their investigations turned up nothing. The training scenes were great and gave extra insight into the various members of the police force. Several turns in the investigation throw suspicion on different people. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, another twist blew everything apart and put Kayla in danger. I was glued to the pages during the final confrontation, wondering how they would get out of it. I loved how it went down.

I loved the epilogue and seeing the changes in everyone's lives. I loved Kayla's comment about Ben, who "cooked dinner in my kitchen most nights with the intensity of a man who'd discovered a new mission, methodical, precise, slightly overambitious." William and Jolly together warmed my heart. And Ben's special moment was so him that I couldn't help but grin.

[Brandalyn Curry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Citadel Solutions: Duty Unleashed Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Since beginning this book series I have been waiting for Ben & Jolly’s story and it didn’t disappoint at all!!!! First off we have a former military K9 soldier and his K9 partner, strong single mom and a young boy who has learned to be terrified of almost anyone. Ben and Jolly have been sent to a small Colorado town with Donovan another Citadel Solutions team member to help figure out what’s really going on in this town. Ben has always chosen when to speak to make the most impact, however little does he know that his choice in housing for this job will completely flip his world upside down. Ben is just happy to give Jolly a yard to enjoy in his downtime when they aren’t working. Kayla is happy to finally be in a space that she’s hoping can help heal her son from their recent past. Kayla is extremely strong and loves her son fiercely, however seeing how cautious he feels he needs to be breaks her heart because he isn’t being a kid. Who knew that William, Kayla’s young son needed a new neighbor to bring him back to life. Kayla and Ben have no idea truly what fate had in store for them once Jolly and Ben move in next door? Is Jolly starting to lose his edge with his job? If he is what is Ben going to do, how will Ben move forward? Can Kayla finally learn to trust her instincts and what she’s being shown? Will Donovan and Ben figure out exactly what’s going on in town? Will Donovan survive running his mouth about Kayla in front of Ben? Is Ben ready to embrace the life that fate seems to have pushed him towards? This book kept me hooked from the first page. I can honestly say that Ben is the exact type of of man I wish my mom would have ended up with after she left my dad to give us a better life. Ben is they type of man any kid would be lucky to have in their life. This story spoke to me so much that there were times I couldn’t help but cry. Dominic Pierce has a gift for bringing his characters and stories to life and this one really spoke to younger me because there were times I felt like William and how he felt he had to read the emotions of the adults in the room. Thank you Dominic for taking me on such a emotional journey with this story, I definitely felt all the feels. If you’re wanting a book full of a strong mmc, beautiful fmc, action, humor, love, pain, sadness, fear, passion, family and so much more please give this book a read I know I will be rereading it!!!

[Sandy S · Rating 4 out of 5]

DUTY UNLEASHED is the fourth instalment in Dominic Pierce’s contemporary, adult CITADEL SOLUTIONS romantic suspense series. This is thirty-three year old, K9 Handler Ben Garrison, and illustrator and single mother Kayla Cafferty’s story line. DUTY UNLEASHED can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary .


Told from dual first person perspectives (Kayla and Ben) DUTY UNLEASHED follows Ben Garrison and his K9 partner Jolly,on their latest assignment in Colorado. Brought into town, under the guise as a K9 trainer, Ben Garrison is part of an undercover operation, looking into police corruption but Ben never expected to find himself falling for his neighbor, single mother and illustrator Kayla Cafferty. While working with the local police, Ben grows closer to our story line heroine, as her son grows closer to Ben’s K9 companion but all is not well in Summit Falls, Colorado, a new designer drug is taking lives, and the number of officers under suspicion grows as Ben’s investigation get closer to the truth.


The world building focuses on the search for the truth, as well as Kayla’s struggle to stay one step ahead of her past. As Ben continues to dig deeper into the possibility of a dirty cop, Kayla finds herself falling for a man who could break her heart.


The relationship between Ben and Kayla begins acrimoniously as Ben struggles with their initial introduction. Kayla’s son William takes a liking to Ben’s K9 partner Jolly, and in this, Ben begins to suspect there is more to his neighbor than he could have ever imagined. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.


There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters including Ben’s fellow K9n trainer, as well as several members of the Summit Falls police department.


DUTY UNLEASHED is a story of secrets and lies, power and control, betrayal and vengeance, friendships and relationships, acceptance and love . The character driven premise is intriguing and dramatic; the romance is seductive and edgy; the characters are determined, desperate and charismatic.


copy supplied for review

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dominic Pierce has written an exciting page-turner that includes heartwarming, interesting characters with lots of action.

Ben Garrison is a K-9 handler for Citadel Solutions. He is a loner who trusts only his dog, Jolly, who has been his partner for seven years. He has temporarily relocated to help the local police start up their own K-9 department.

Ben now lives in the house next to Kayla, a widow and her six-year-old son, William. Kayla and William have also recently moved into this area. Like Ben, William has always been a loner who finds it difficult to socialize. However, his problem was exacerbated when Kayla’s evil boyfriend moved in with them and yelled and screamed at him for every little thing.

Pleasantly, William and Jolly discover each other and become very close friends. Every chance they can, they secretly meet to play together near the fence between the two houses. William’s personality immediately changes. His extreme happiness, and his new ability to talk easier with people is very noticeable to Ben and Kayla. I love this relationship between William and Jolly! It is amazing and heartwarming to observe the strong love between the two of them.

As Kayla and Ben observe the closeness between William and Jolly, they all end up spending lots of time together as a family. As a result, Kayla and Ben become aware of the warmth and enjoyment they feel together, and come to the conclusion that they are happiest when together.

Meanwhile, while Ben is teaching the new K-9 police team how to train the dogs, they discover a drug ring that appears to involve one of their own. Ben and the others investigate the corruption to find out who is responsible. This intense and suspenseful plot has so many twists and turns that it will keep readers on the edge-of-their-seats.

Readers will love all of the characters in this story, even the secondary ones. They are all fearless, loyal, honest, genuine, caring and trustworthy people!

[Cathy Geha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Duty Unleashed by Dominic Pierce
Citadel Solutions #4

~ Big smiles ~ Lovely story with all the feels ~ Hated to say goodbye to Ben, Kayla, William & Jolly ~ Looking forward to Donovan’s story next ~

What I liked:
* Ben Garrison: ex-military K-9 handler, quiet, succinct, observant, intuitive, wise, caring, supportive, honest, straightforward, dedicated, good with children, team player
* Jolly: Ben’s K-9 partner for seven years, German Shepherd-Malinois, focused, determined, excellent at his job, bonding with William, likes pine cone games
* Kayla Cafferty: widow, single parent, children’s book illustrator, ex-boyfriend a problem, good friend, loving, kind, perceptive, empathetic, open, honest, mature
* William: six-year-old, Kayla’s son, slowly emerging from trauma of time with Kayla’s last boyfriend, bright, loves animals – especially dogs
* Watching the relationship develop between Kayla and Ben, their honesty and mature communication
* That I was drawn in, cared about the characters and plot, and was invested in the outcome
* Donovan: Ben’s Citadel Solutions partner on this job, two tours with Ben in the military, possible PTSD, humorous, professional, stars in book five
* Learning a bit more about K-9 operations
* The dual task that Ben and Donovan are working on at the police department, the clues, red herrings, and the way they worked the cases with a final conclusion without strings left dangling
* The plot, pacing, setting, and writing

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* The person who was revealed as a murderous, evil, larcenous person
* Craig: Kayla’s icky last boyfriend that was rather stalkerish

Did I like this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Definitely

Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars

[S Paschal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ben and his K9 Jolly have been together for seven years. They've seen some of the worst the world has to offer in various battle zones around the world. Now working as a contractor stateside to train a local police force as they implement a new K9 unit, he figures he'll finish the job and move on. It's what he's done since leaving the military - he keeps to himself, finishes the job and moves to the next assignment.

His temporary neighbors, Kayla and her son, manage to get under his skin when this has never happened before. Both he and Jolly find themselves loving time spent with the small family next door.

The story moves at a good pace, with a secondary mission for Ben and Jolly that adds an element of mystery to the story. Ben is a good man, although he's a bit traumatized by his military experience. Kayla, with her strength, resilience after an emotionally abusive relationship and loving nature help him to heal in some ways and see new possibilities for his future. While the relationship between Ben and Kayla takes some time to develop it turns into a loving and supportive partnership. What I loved about this romance is that Ben not only opens himself up to Kayla, but he also makes her son William a priority. His relationship with Kayla is almost secondary to the connections between the three of them as a new family. Throw in a K9 that is one part protector and one part clown, and you have a small-town romance story that is a wonderful mix of the formation of a new family, recovery from past traumas and the building of a new future for all of them.

Five stars.

This is an honest, voluntary review of an ARC of the story.

[Sharon Grow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once I started this book, I was unable to stop reading until the very end! Former military, Ben Harrison, is now employed with Citadel Solutions and has moved to Summit Falls. He, his K9 Jolly and fellow security officer, Donovan Hughes will be training department members to work with a K9. Kayla Cafferty and her son William have recently moved to town to escape from the harmful harassment from a man she had dated. When a man moves into a home whose yard backs up to hers, she notices that William is spending more time at the fence line. She learns that he has made friends with the man’s dog, Jolly. Meeting Ben has made a difference in their lives as they spend time together and William begins to relax and enjoy his new friend. In addition to the K9 training, Ben and his partner are quietly assisting the police chief in an investigation into the arrival of Drift, a dangerous new drug. Drift has already been the cause of several deaths in the area. Scheduled raids, by the department, have resulted in evidence being moved before they arrive. Is someone in the department warning them about the raids? Could it be one of the men involved in the K9 training? When they locate who they believe was the individual responsible, have they solved the case of the department leak? Will Ben and Kayla now have a chance to explore the electric attraction between them and maybe form a family of four? I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

[Jenntleh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect—thank you, that helps a lot. Here’s your fully corrected and polished review with the right character names integrated:
Duty Unleashed by Dominic Pierce
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)
Duty Unleashed by Dominic Pierce is a tense, emotionally layered story that blends suspense with real-life struggles. The novel follows former military K9 handler Ben Garrison, who goes undercover to uncover possible corruption within a police department. What starts as a straightforward investigation quickly becomes more complicated as he gets pulled into the lives of those around him.
Running alongside this is the story of Kayla Cafferty, a single mother trying to rebuild her life with her son, Eli, after escaping a narcissistic ex who refuses to let her go. Her journey adds a raw, grounded emotional depth to the story, showing both the difficulty of starting over and the strength it takes to keep going.
At its core, this is a story about a boy and a dog. The bond between Eli and the K9 becomes the emotional center of the novel, bringing warmth, comfort, and a sense of safety amid the tension and danger. It’s this relationship that gives the story its heart and makes the stakes feel deeply personal.
The characters are messy in a way that feels authentic, and I was invested in their journey every step of the way. While the book explores heavier themes like corruption, control, and recovery, it never loses sight of the relationships that hold everything together.
Overall, this is a gripping, heartfelt read that balances suspense with emotional storytelling in a way that really worked for me.

[Jane A · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I have a new favourite from this excellent series. Ben Garrison is strong, solid, unassuming and straightforward, what you see is what you get and that could be everything you ever wanted. On secondment in Colorado with his K9 partner Jolly and Citadel team-mate Donovan Hughes, training a police team to utilise K9’s in their work, a training programme that is being used to hide their actual undercover mission. Ben knows Jolly, the absolute constant in his life for the last 7 years, is approaching the end of his working life and a crossroads is approaching. What he doesn’t expect is the small family next door who from a small hole in the fence gently become part of his life. For Jolly and 6 year old William it is love at fist sight and an instant bond through the fence that evolves into an unbreakable friendship. Widowed Kayla moved her and William to a new town for a fresh start after her previous relationship left her confidence and self belief in tatters and William traumatised. As William starts to heal and blossom under Jolly’s devotion and Ben’s quiet understanding, both Kayla and Ben slowly start to explore their chemistry and attraction. It’s slow burn romance at its best, they fit, neither pushes and they truly see each other. There is also a great suspense story running alongside, the plot is great and fully satisfies the desire for action and intrigue, I will admit it didn’t entirely go the way I was expecting but it is a highly enjoyable read which I highly recommend. Jolly is of course my new Favourite but Ben Garrison comes a very close second!

[MK · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic book. It was heartwarming as it was heartbreaking. So real which when you read it you will understand. Ben Garrison, and his K9 partner Jolly along with another member of the Citadel Solution team were sent to Summit Falls to help with a training program. Maybe K9’s to there department. but they also had another job to do. It was dangerous to say the least. Jolly was almost at the age of retirement, and Ben wasn’t sure what was next for them. When one day he’s doing some work at his house which brought over his neighbor. She introduced herself as Kayla. He asked if her son broke the fence? She said absolutely not. William is a good boy he would never. She soon learned what was going on, and later told Ben. It was so very heartwarming. At the same time Heartbreaking after Ben heard that he lost his father, and was closed off. A relief set over him as well. He loved seeing that Jolly was ok. He was acting like a dog after doing his job. Kayla and he had an attraction that was set of the charts. It became more then just physical. It was just certain parts of his job he couldn’t tell her. She finally understood that.

As I said before so many real aspects in the book that Ben was delaying with, and the police department. There was a cop involved in something not good. So many are killed in today’s world. Teens even cops.

Highly recommend this book and the series. I would give more stars if I could. Mr. Pierce truly made it real.

[Debbie Caswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW talk about a book that tugs at your heartstrings it has everything that will set me off a great dog hero and a young boy deeply traumatised

Ben is in town training police members for the new K-9 unit that is about to be set at the same time he is worries about his K-9 Jolly he knows he is getting close to his retirement age at nearly nine and he is also showing some worrying habits crouching for hours at a hole in the neighbours fence. Kayla and her son William are those neighbours Kayla was widowed and when she tried to start a new relationship the man gaslighted her and was verbally abusive to her son. She got out but Craig continues to harass her staying just inside the lines so she cannot get a restraining order Soon they both realise that the boy and the dog have formed a strong friendship Jolly isn't losing his mind he is waiting for his friend at the fence where they connect and William has finally found a friend that makes him feel brave. As things escalate not only with Craig but also with the undercover mission that Ben is actually working on these two will have to let down their guards and learn to trust and rely on one another.

This book is a bit more slow burn than Dominic's other books but boy it sure has way more feelings and depth in its characters I absolutely loved this book

[Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

The little town has a drug problem. The cartel kills with drugs and guns. The challenge is it looks like the police intel has been leaked from inside. The Chief hires Citadel to help. On the surface, it is the K9 training for their upcoming K9 unit. But Citadel is also tasked to find the dirty cop(s). Ben and his K9 Jolly moves next door to Kayla and her six-year-old son William. William, emotionally traumatized by Kayla’s ex-boyfriend, immediately becomes Jolly’s secret friend who throws pinecones over the backyard fence and waits for Jolly to return. Ben and Kayla eventually find out the secret playmates. Ben doesn’t talk much but seems to understand the situation without judgment. He loves Jolly and by extension loves William. He and Kayla have chemistry and get each other. The way Ben treats William makes Kayla fall in love with him even more. She just doesn’t know she will be caught in the dangerous web. But Ben is there to save her and get rid of her manipulating ex for her too.
This story is as breathtaking as the other stories in this series, but this one may be my favorite. The plot is sophisticated. The love is sweet. The friendship and banters make me laugh. And the best part is the connection between William and Jolly.

[Yvonne Cruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are back with another Citadel Solutions member who not only will be involved in solving the source of a drug trafficking group , but also find what they were not expecting.
Ben Garrison and his co-worker and friend, Donovan, served together as military K-9 handlers and nowadays, work for the CItadel Solutions. This time, they are assigned to not only train future police K-9 handlers for the police force they have been sent to, but they are also asked to help discover if there is someone in the group leaking information to traffickers.
While in town, Ben and his K-9, Jolly, have temporary housing next to a widow and her young boy. A boy that will win the heart of his dog and Ben as the boy’s mom that will cause Ben to question his future.
But in the midst of it all , danger abounds, drugs are running through town, and the culprits and their leaders are still a mystery.
Making this another winner in this very engaging series.
The plot grabs you from the start and the complex and likable main characters will keep you riveted to the story. In the end, will they survived unhurt?
This reader hopes that Donovan gets his story next.
I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

[Reading Addict · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every time I read a Dominic Pierce book I wonder if it will be as fantastic as the rest, and Duty Unleashed was phenomenal! Ben Garrison has been an island of one for a long time. His longest relationship is with his K9 partner Jolly and that's slowly nearing the end for Jolly. Jolly is 7 years old and for a K9, that's getting close to retirement. Ben is not dealing with this well. He's on his current assignment, training a Colorado police department on K9 handling but he and his other partner Donavan are also working for the chief of police trying to find who is leaking information to a drug ring that has been operating in the area. Kayla Cafferty and her young son William are living in the house next door to Ben and William and Jolly have been having secret rendezvous relationship at the fence line in the way only a six year old and a dog can. I really can't say much more without giving away the story and Duty Unleashed is too good a story to spoil. I loved every single character. There's the perfect balance of action, intrigue, emotions, heat and happiness! It was told from dual POV and stands alone in the Citadel series. I can't wait for what's coming next!

[Di · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kayla, a widowed single mom to William, left a relationship to protect her sweet quiet boy, who befriends a K9, Jolly, that lives next door with his handler Ben. Ben is on assignment with the police force, contracted out by Citadel Security, who lives for his K9 and work….until Kayla and William. Their story unfolds as Ben and Jolly spend time with the two, little gestures between the adults as William and Jolly form a bond. Ben’s assignment is more than just a simple K9 training with the police force and Kayla’s past won’t leave her alone. As the two get closer and form a bond of their own, others notice and not in a good way.
LOVED this read, couldn’t put it down and it is my favorite out of this series. Ben, Kayla, William and Jolly stole my heart, not wanting their story to end. Kayla is a strong, independent woman who would do anything for her son, Ben, quiet, stoic and steady, who lets down his guard with the two. I LOVED LOVED the no drama between them, the understanding and acceptance of who they are and being present. The story flowed beautifully without skipping a beat, descriptions were spot on, twists and turns I didn’t see coming….worth more than 5 stars!!!

[Miki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous! Excellent! Really it was a fantastic read full of emotions, action and great characters.
I love the link between Ben and Donovan they understand each other....and care for each other, understanding the other needs.....yes the link between Jolly and his Handler Ben is stronger but Ben and Donovan are brothers in anything but blood.

Ben care so much for Jolly thinking of his need and doing his best while being afraid they won't be partners for life....it's so human , so normal to fear for his fur best friend so he seemed more accessible. It was great to see Jolly going from K9 mode to pup mode in an instant with the right partner..... really it was moving.

I loved how Ben was gentle with William and the children, how he did not speak to them as not being able to understand.....William needed that strenght
Kayla is a good mother, i loved that she was able to do right by her and by her son....she had her own trauma but was strong enough to trust Ben and that's a lot.

Really the story, the characters, Jolly everything was perfect to give us an enjoyable read no matter our own set of mind...... fantastic!

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

They say a dog picks his owner and Jolie, the K9 star of Duty Unleashed has chosen. He has been a police/military K9 for many years, but is slowing down. He finds his forever friend in William, the boy next door who is quiet and withdrawn, except with Jolie. Ben doesn't know what is happening with his partner, and doesn't know who he is without his K9 beside him. He attributes Jolie's strange behavior to his age and slowing down. He needs Jolie to be there for him and the danger that he is facing. Kayla is facing harassment from her ex who has traumatized both her and her son William. Ben doesn't think he needs anyone but Jolie by his side, but he is drawn by the woman and son next door. It will take Jolie to show him that he can expand his family, as soon as they conquer the danger they are all facing.
This book by Dominic Pierce is not a constant battleground but a slow build up of tension, both personal and professional. Kayla and Ben each find a home in the other they weren't looking for and William finds his voice with the confidence of his good friend Jolie. Another winner in the Citadel Solutions series!

[H · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Duty Unleashed. It’s one of those books that just pulls you in and makes you actually care about the characters.

Ben and his K9, Jolly, were probably my favorite part. You can really feel that bond, and knowing Jolly is getting older adds an emotional layer that hits a little harder than expected. If you’re a dog person at all, this will definitely get you.

I also loved how the relationship between Ben, Kayla, and her son builds. It doesn’t feel forced or rushed- it just kind of happens naturally. Watching her son come out of his shell, especially because of Jolly, was honestly one of the sweetest parts of the whole story.

The romance is there, but it’s not over the top. It’s more about trust and healing than anything else, which I liked. It felt real instead of dramatic.

There’s still some action and suspense going on in the background with the investigation, but for me this book was more about the characters and how they grow.

Overall, it’s a really solid read with a lot of heart. It made me smile, got a little emotional in parts, and kept me interested the whole time. Definitely worth picking up.

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a softer suspense romance than I anticipated and I loved it! By softer I mean not in your face violence and not heart pounding intensity throughout the book. One minute it is charming and next an undercurrent of deceit.

The romance side of this an amazing story is about Ben, Jolly, Kayla and William. They are the absolute sweetest love story ever! They pull on your heartstrings with their pasts and how it takes the magnetic bond between a young boy, William and a dog, Jolly to heal and to love. It is written with sensitivity, understanding and heart to bring soft edges around the horrific drug problem in Summit Falls, Colorado.

The drama part of the book highlights that evil can live under your nose and how a cunning and crafty fox in sheep's clothing can be. It illustrates lessons in judgement. It's an incredible and impressive way to learn that everyone is dealing with something and it isn't always what is in plain sight.

The two sides of the book run parallel until the two collide in a nail biting scene that brings the story to a very satisfy ending.

[Tracy Quoka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm loving this series, and I truly love that they are written by a man. Dominic Pierce has lived the life of some of his characters and brings that into his writing.
In this book Ben Garrison, and his K9 partner get their HEA. Jolly truly hits the jackpot here, because what do most dogs want more than anything? A kid to call their own. (or at least one of my dogs feels that way). The relationship between Jolly and the neighbor boy William in my opinion is where this story starts. The relationship between Kayla, William's mom and Ben builds from there, starting with an over the fence conversation and into much much more. This is a slow burn novel, which I always love a good slow burn. Not as much suspense, as some of the previous, but defiantly has some action. Mr. Pierce is very descriptive in his scenes, I could defiantly feel the heart pounding as Jolly was pursuing a runner from one of their assignments.
I look forward to the next book in the series. I really hope this one continues for a long time.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This just was, it made me want to sigh with contentment. It was like sitting in your favorite spot and being friends with Kayla, her son William, Ben the K-9 handler and Jolly his K-9. The plot pulls you in. You are invested in the characters the town and the job Ben is there to do. Watching Kayla grow her own strength and her love and understanding of issues her son had endured made me want to weep and glow with pride. Her profession was a win and something new, well done. Jolly and William's friendship made y heart soar. Ben and his buddy Donovan are trying to unearth police corruption all the while Jolly is showing signs of retirement on the horizon and Ben and Kayla learn about each other. I was fortunate enough to receive an advanced copy, and I freely share my honest thoughts and opinions. There is the "hawt" and explicitness that a lot of readers require. The story did it for me. My favorite. #DutyUnleashed #CitadellSolutions #DominicPierce #CalamittieJanePublishing-ProtectorRomanceCircle #Bookfunnel

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

Reading this book has made me happy (and I've heeded that after a trying week), I felt a connection to the characters, they felt real to me because they had depth, layers and an honesty to them. I liked that I didn't always see things coming, the story itself was one of layers and different journeys, this kept me invested, interested and focused.

I believed in the connection and chemistry, friendships, bonds and the light and dark the characters faced. I really loved the bond between William and Jolly, seeing Ben make space in his life for more than just his work and Jolly, and seeing how Jolly made them a family. I hope that they make some appearance in Donovan's story next, that they can support him like he supported them. I have enjoyed reading this latest story from this series and look forward to reading further ones. I am voluntarily leaving this review after receiving an ARC.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve really enjoyed the previous three Dominic Pierce books but this one blew me away. It’s a story that you want read as fast as possible but never want to end. Ben is simple and straightforward. What you see is what you get. A man of few words but all action.

I love Kayla as a FMC because she’s not over the top. She reads like a real woman in the real word with everyday life problems. Keep working. Make sure your kid is emotionally and physically looked after. Annoying ex that won’t go away. Throw in a health crisis and you have a majority of women IRL.

The emotions that develop between Ben and Kayla is relatable but wouldn’t grow without Jolly and William acting as catalysts. Just the way the entire story plays out lifts my heart up in hope the world can have as much honest love as Ben and Kayla showed us. And the truly honest love of a dog and his boy, the world needs more of this unconditional emotion. This was the very best book I’ve read in a long time.