What do you think?
Rate this book
Vanguard: A Dark Post-Dystopian Romance
Not yet published
Expected 12 Feb 26Her kiss may be deadly, but he’s indestructible.
Erasmia "Mia" Baxter is her agency's most lethal operative, genetically engineered to have poisonous saliva. But having the kiss of death is hell on her social life. Her future holds no romance, no family, no intimacy of any kind—only killing for her country.
When her special ops group hears rumors that America's first enhanced soldier—Vanguard—may be more deadly weapon than savior, Mia is tasked with infiltrating his inner circle to investigate. What she finds is a former military asset with a hidden dark side—and the only man she can kiss without consequence.
Intoxicated by the obsessive passion rising between them, Mia falls deeper into lust with each new sensual encounter. But the closer they become, the more she realizes there might be truth to the rumors. Vanguard is changing—becoming more violent, more devious, less…human. And the truth of her identity might push him over the edge entirely.
In a world where heroes and monsters are separated by the thinnest of lines, Mia must Is the man she's falling for worth saving? Or is he the weapon he was created to be—one that will destroy her first?
A dark romance special ops spy thriller with a post-dystopian sci-fi bent—VANGUARD has the gripping twists and turns of BLACK DOVES paired with the seductive intensity of Runyx’s DARK VERSE series.
Erasmia "Mia" Baxter is her agency's most lethal operative, genetically engineered to have poisonous saliva. But having the kiss of death is hell on her social life. Her future holds no romance, no family, no intimacy of any kind—only killing for her country.
When her special ops group hears rumors that America's first enhanced soldier—Vanguard—may be more deadly weapon than savior, Mia is tasked with infiltrating his inner circle to investigate. What she finds is a former military asset with a hidden dark side—and the only man she can kiss without consequence.
Intoxicated by the obsessive passion rising between them, Mia falls deeper into lust with each new sensual encounter. But the closer they become, the more she realizes there might be truth to the rumors. Vanguard is changing—becoming more violent, more devious, less…human. And the truth of her identity might push him over the edge entirely.
In a world where heroes and monsters are separated by the thinnest of lines, Mia must Is the man she's falling for worth saving? Or is he the weapon he was created to be—one that will destroy her first?
A dark romance special ops spy thriller with a post-dystopian sci-fi bent—VANGUARD has the gripping twists and turns of BLACK DOVES paired with the seductive intensity of Runyx’s DARK VERSE series.
- GenresContemporary Romance
Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 12, 2026
1 person is currently reading
239 people want to read
About the author
Karina Halle
122 books19.6k followersKarina Halle is a screenwriter, former music & travel journalist, and the New York Times bestselling author of Grave Matter, Blood Orange, & The Royals Next Door, as well as 80 other romances across all sub-genres, ranging from spicy rom coms to gothic horror and dark fantasy. Needless to say, whatever you're into, she's probably written an HEA for it.
When she's not traveling, she, her husband, and their pup Perry, split their time between a possibly haunted 120 year-old house in Victoria, BC, and their condo in Los Angeles.
When she's not traveling, she, her husband, and their pup Perry, split their time between a possibly haunted 120 year-old house in Victoria, BC, and their condo in Los Angeles.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Want to read
January 15, 2026pre-read notes:
~ jan. 15th
HAPPY COVER REVEAL DAY! 🖤
I was lucky to participate in the cover reveal for this (although Goodreads needs to update this asap..)
So excited to read this one!
— COMES OUT ON FEBRUARY 12th 🖤📚
~ jan. 15th
HAPPY COVER REVEAL DAY! 🖤
I was lucky to participate in the cover reveal for this (although Goodreads needs to update this asap..)
So excited to read this one!
— COMES OUT ON FEBRUARY 12th 🖤📚
Want to read
December 13, 2025THIS IS A NEED!! GIMME!!
Want to read
January 16, 2026I haven’t loved a KH book since like … 2023? maybe this will turn it around for me
Want to read
January 20, 2026TROPES:
FORCED PROXIMITY
SPY X TARGET
KISS OR KILL
OBSESSED HERO
SECRET IDENTITY
INVISIBLE FUN
FORCED PROXIMITY
SPY X TARGET
KISS OR KILL
OBSESSED HERO
SECRET IDENTITY
INVISIBLE FUN
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews