Strictly Confidential

by Ariel Hendrix, Mj Hendrix

My rebound hookup turned out to be my new billionaire boss…
I thought getting fired and cheated on was bad, but him pretending he doesn’t remember me is ten times worse.
I would quit, but I need the money to pay for my dad’s care facility.

I thought I was out of my league crushing on a regular billionaire, until I saw the bullet proof vest under his Armani suit.
The real twist? He thinks I was sent here to kill him.

His last mission as a SEAL is strictly confidential, but he’s been waiting for a blonde haired, blue eyed Russian spy to infiltrate his private life…oops.
He’s pissed that I somehow fooled him, but he’s got it all wrong. I’m just a girl with a pet turtle who’s never held a gun before.

Now that I’m swept up in his dangerous world, all I can do is hold on for dear life and try to resist falling for the man whose trust issues are competing with the zeros in his bank account.

This is an action adventure office romcom with a happy ending, spicy scenes, mistaken identity trope, and no cheating or cliffhangers. This book was originally published under the title “Big Shot” by Mj Hendrix. It has been re-written with major story changes.

331 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 7, 2026

Reviews

[Carrie Mann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC and thoroughly enjoyed it. Ariel Hendrix delivers a well-crafted rom-com suspense featuring a clever mistaken-identity premise. The writing is engaging and polished, balancing humor with intrigue in a way that keeps the story moving at a steady, compelling pace. The plot is concise yet entertaining, offering consistent moments of both comedy and suspense through to the conclusion. Overall, this was an enjoyable and engaging read that I would readily recommend to fans of romantic suspense with a humorous edge.

[Bookmom1213 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Losing her job and discovering her boyfriend cheated on her in the span of a few hours would be enough to send anyone spiraling. Kate’s best friend has a very specific solution: get under someone new. That decision leads Kate to a bar known for high-powered CEOs, a little liquid courage, and one unforgettable night with a devastatingly hot stranger. Unfortunately, the real shock comes two days later when that stranger turns out to be her brand-new boss… and he doesn’t even remember her name.
Kate would walk away from the awkward situation if she could, but the salary is exactly what she needs to help pay for her father’s memory care. Luke, however, is convinced something much darker is going on. A former Navy SEAL with a classified past, he’s been waiting for a Russian operative to infiltrate his life, and when his one-night stand shows up as his new personal assistant, he immediately suspects the worst. The problem? Kate is clumsy, completely inexperienced with anything remotely dangerous, and clearly not the deadly spy he thinks she

[Kari Tidwell (karisbookstodevour) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A romcom where an ex-navy Seal turned billionaire businessman is convinced his newest PA is a spy sent to kill him which leads straight to utter chaos, mixed signals, and danger with a dose of steamy office romps and can’t keep their hands to themselves. It’s fun, with Luke and Kate indulging in a no name one night stand before they find themselves in the awkward position of him being her new boss which immediately trips Luke’s paranoia switch and confuses the heck out of Kate with all his hot and cold, and has just enough of that far fetched zany to keep it light while delivering a really great read about Luke’s last mission, the truth about why his best friend was murdered, and all that delicious alpha protective goodness that makes a heart skip a beat. It holds your attention from start to finish, the steam is delightful, and you genuinely just love both characters. A solid story that’s well worth the read.

[Alexis H | letsreadwithlex · Rating 4 out of 5]

a romantic suspense featuring a billionaire x assistant? Sign me up! I had such a fun time reading this. After a one night stand, Kate is hired as a personal assistant. Turns out her one night stand, is her new boss.

Luke; a ex-navy seal is paranoid yet enamored by Kate, and they fall into a tension filled romance! But he suspects she’s a spy, after him for a mission that went wrong years prior.

Really had a good time with this one, and I loved the suspenseful moments.

Thank you Ariel for the ARC! (ps i really want more to Fallon and garrison 👀👀)

Tropes:
Ex navy seal turned billionaire
One night stand
Romantic suspense
Boss x assistant

[Amber Thornton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book by Ariel and it won’t be my last!!!

I absolutely loved this book. From the first page I was hooked and consumed by it. I didn’t want to put it down to go to work🤣 I needed to know what’s going to happen next.

Seriously, everything from the characters, the suspense, the spice and overall plot was amazing!!

Kate was so funny and I fell in love with her immediately. Luke was no exception and Kate had him hooked from the start. I just loved them together!!

Seriously just go in blind and enjoy!! The only bad thing I could say is that I wanted more lol I want a peek into their life after the book ended🤭

Thank you Ariel for the ARC!!💗

[Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the privilege of having this book as an ARC and let me tell you I literally could not put it down! I read this book in less than 24 hours. It’s a billionaire boss, rom com, ex military, mistaken identity, one night stand trope so if any of those are your thing you need to read this book! The characters are so relatable and fun, I especially relate to the FMC because she talks to herself and so do I lol. If you read MJ Hendrix book Big Shot, this is that book rewritten, I have read both and this is such an amazing rewrite, like I said I literally couldn’t put it down. Absolutely no notes! I would also really love to see this be made into a series.

[Anna Otten · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC provided by the author via BookFunnel. This is my honest review.

5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
3/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Wow! Another great read by Ariel Hendrix. Didn’t put this book down and finished it in two days. I loved both the MMC and FMC. Kate was someone I’d want to be friends with, so down to earth yet ready to be a badass when the time called for it. Luke is a protective OTT dream. Story flowed well, no plot holes and a nice low angst romcom read.

I wish this was a series! I have a feeling Jackson and Mel would give eachother a run for their money in the best way 🙌🏼

[Rachel (probablyreading2) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun read!

This books had me cackling out loud in chapter one. The fun banter and commentary throughout the whole book was amazing and I loved it.

Kate was going through the worst of lows and just trying to shake off her bad luck and Luke ends up thinking she's a spy that's out to kill him. Which is ironic since I'm pretty sure kate can't walk 5 feet without causing some form of chaos 😂

They somehow manage to fall in love amongst all the crazy they get caught up in, while also solving a top secret investigation (ikyky).

The plot twist at the end was SO unexpected and Tin no way knew that was how it was going to end.

l've never read a Rom Com/Suspense but I'm honestly in love with it and need more.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review

Strictly Confidential

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

This was such a fun billionaire workplace romance. What starts as a one-night stand quickly gets awkward when she realizes the hot guy she hooked up with is actually her new boss

I loved the banter and the chemistry between them. The grumpy boss vibes mixed with the office tension kept things entertaining the whole way through. Honestly, anything Ariel writes, I will read I’m obsessed with her books.



Thank you to Ariel Hendrix for the ARC copy of this book. 📚✨

[Kayley · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I seen that Ariel was releasing a billionaire/ex military romance I could not wait to get my hands on this book so I was thrilled to have been sent an ARC.

Strictly Confidential is the perfect mix of banter, romance, plot and suspense, touching on subjects of a sensitive matter but written beautifully. The storyline was everything I love in a book and I hope to see more of the characters stories in the future!🤞🏼👏🏼
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this!!! I received an ARC of this book and it was awesome! Super fun read. I absolutely fell in love with both Kate and Luke! This guy all the right notes for me. Hot billionaire sweet woman trying to take care of her family with danger and mystery and a cute turtle.
It had action and fun and it was sexy!
🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌

[Shae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love

So I originally read this as Big Shot and loved it so much. Im happy Ariel went back and gave us the closer since she decided to make this a one off. I love the twist and turns of this book. I love Luke and Kate as much as I did the first time I read this!

[kenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

ariel has done it again. this was just so good! i loved the plot line and the end had me kicking my feet! definitely recommend!

[Summer Willey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a cute book! It was a super easy read and i enjoyed the story line. Finished in under 24 hours.
Spice 1/5 I almost wish it had a bit more!