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Prey Security: Undercover Team #2
Defending Mateo
He walked away to protect her not knowing she was already in danger because of him.
Ally Thatcher should have known better than to believe a man who was confident, self assured, and sexy as sin would ever fall for a woman like her. She's shy, quiet, withdrawn, struggles to connect to people, qualities that make it hard enough to function in her regular life, but qualities that will destroy her when she finds herself the victim of a human trafficking ring. There is only one thing worse than waking up in a cell, waiting to be sold, and that's finding out that the man you were falling in love with is one of them.
Betrayed by everyone he loved and trusted when he was a teenager, Mateo Adler learned to shut his emotions down tight. After spending a few years as a cop he joined Prey Security's Undercover Team and has spent the last six months working for the sex trafficking ring Azure. In two decades only one person has ever caused a crack in his armor, and now that woman has fallen victim to the very thing he tried to protect her from. Ally doesn't trust him, thinks he ghosted her for no reason, and he has no idea how he's going to get her out of this hellhole, because it turns out that he really is the monster he always feared he'd become.
** Please note that some readers might find some situations depicted in this book triggering as there are issues regarding consent. **
Ally Thatcher should have known better than to believe a man who was confident, self assured, and sexy as sin would ever fall for a woman like her. She's shy, quiet, withdrawn, struggles to connect to people, qualities that make it hard enough to function in her regular life, but qualities that will destroy her when she finds herself the victim of a human trafficking ring. There is only one thing worse than waking up in a cell, waiting to be sold, and that's finding out that the man you were falling in love with is one of them.
Betrayed by everyone he loved and trusted when he was a teenager, Mateo Adler learned to shut his emotions down tight. After spending a few years as a cop he joined Prey Security's Undercover Team and has spent the last six months working for the sex trafficking ring Azure. In two decades only one person has ever caused a crack in his armor, and now that woman has fallen victim to the very thing he tried to protect her from. Ally doesn't trust him, thinks he ghosted her for no reason, and he has no idea how he's going to get her out of this hellhole, because it turns out that he really is the monster he always feared he'd become.
** Please note that some readers might find some situations depicted in this book triggering as there are issues regarding consent. **
- GenresMilitary Romance
269 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 14, 2026
About the author
Jane Blythe
129 books1,380 followers
USA Today bestselling author Jane Blythe writes action-packed romantic suspense and military romance featuring protective heroes and heroines who are survivors. One of Jane's most popular series includes Prey Security, part of Susan Stoker's OPERATION ALPHA world! Writing in that world alongside authors such as Janie Crouch and Riley Edwards has been a blast, and she looks forward to bringing more books to this genre, both within and outside of Stoker's world. When Jane isn't binge-reading she's counting down to Christmas and adding to her 200+ teddy bear collection!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
July 20, 2026
This book is messed up. It's a shame it's associated with Susan Stoker's characters.
Review of advance copy
Mateo is a complicated morally grey hero who is determined to avoid being like his whole family, who were willing to sacrifice his 14year old self for their won comfort.
The consequences of that determination lead him to give up on his relationship with Ally, to keep her away from the dark-side of his job as n undercover agent for Prey Security.
Ally his unconfident and timid, and Mateo had began to instil confidence in her own self worth, that is until he ghosted her.
Both are hurting, but when Ally ends up a victim of the very organisation Mateo is imbedded in they both have a shock.
As Mateo eventually explains his job to Ally she forgives him, not straight away, but far to quickly and easily to my mind!
Eventually, with the help of Prey and our favourite Delta soldiers Ally is freed from her captivity, but can she stay that way?
was a rollicking tale, and I found Ally far too easy to forgive; and as or Mateo? Well I do hope more grovelling is in store for him!! Particularly for his leave her to save her idiocy!
I found myself, engrossed in the action, drama and their relationship, at parts angry, at parts encouraging and hopeful. And often shouting at the pages! So engrossing and I really enjoyed this one!
The consequences of that determination lead him to give up on his relationship with Ally, to keep her away from the dark-side of his job as n undercover agent for Prey Security.
Ally his unconfident and timid, and Mateo had began to instil confidence in her own self worth, that is until he ghosted her.
Both are hurting, but when Ally ends up a victim of the very organisation Mateo is imbedded in they both have a shock.
As Mateo eventually explains his job to Ally she forgives him, not straight away, but far to quickly and easily to my mind!
Eventually, with the help of Prey and our favourite Delta soldiers Ally is freed from her captivity, but can she stay that way?
was a rollicking tale, and I found Ally far too easy to forgive; and as or Mateo? Well I do hope more grovelling is in store for him!! Particularly for his leave her to save her idiocy!
I found myself, engrossed in the action, drama and their relationship, at parts angry, at parts encouraging and hopeful. And often shouting at the pages! So engrossing and I really enjoyed this one!
Review of advance copy
Ally is a loner and struggling after her boyfriend of a year ghosted her. What’s worse is that he is her neighbor, but she is too afraid to confront him about why he disappeared. Her thoughts are so consumed with uncertainty that it makes it easy for her abductors to grab her and sell her off to the highest bidder. What she doesn’t know is that she was targeted, and her boyfriend is at the center of the danger she finds herself in.
This is book two of the Prey Security Undercover Team. No one in the team knows who is also undercover, and that makes each member on what feels like a solo mission. Unfortunately, Mateo’s history makes things much more complicated when Ally is captured by the trafficking ring he is trying to take down. How can he protect Ally and protect his cover? The story between Ally and Mateo has a lot of layers, sometimes heartbreaking and frustrating. You want Mateo to do better, but you also understand his need to save the mission even when it’s at the expense of the woman he loves. This story is hard to read, and although Jane never does book-specific triggers, there are a lot of themes in this book that may be triggering.
Review of advance copy
First please heed the trigger warnings, this is a very dark read. This book starts off with Ally being drugged and kidnapped and never would have imagined waking up in a cell nor looking up and finding out her kidnapper was her neighbor and ex boyfriend. But unbeknownst to Ally, Mateo is just as surprised finding her in the cell. When Mateo questions his boss about it he figures out it is a test of loyalty, to see who he is actually loyal to. Now Mateo has more at stake then just taking down the trafficking ring but also to figure out how to keep Ally safe and to get her out without getting them both killed. Mateo never let on how much he loved Ally and now it's too late regardless if he gets her out she will never forgive him. This book has a lot of suspense, angst, heartbreak and turmoil. I so wanted to knock Mateo over the head a few time. Also Ally needed to let Mateo grovel far more than she did but he did redeem himself in the end. I am really enjoying this book and this series and definitely recommend it.
Review of advance copy
Another exciting, fast-paced story from Jane Blythe, one of my go-to authors. As always, she takes readers down a twisty, suspenseful path filled with morally grey characters who keep you guessing.
This is a dark romance, and I found myself both liking and loathing Mateo in equal measure. He’s a complex character whose actions made it difficult to fully root for him at times. Ally, on the other hand, was perhaps a little too forgiving for my liking, and I felt she accepted Mateo back much more quickly than I would have done.
One of the things I always enjoy about this series is catching up with familiar faces from the Prey Security world. You can always count on the team to rally around and support one another, which adds a feeling of continuity to the story.
Overall, I really enjoyed the storyline, the action, and the emotional tension. I'm already looking forward to the next book in the series.
This is a dark romance, and I found myself both liking and loathing Mateo in equal measure. He’s a complex character whose actions made it difficult to fully root for him at times. Ally, on the other hand, was perhaps a little too forgiving for my liking, and I felt she accepted Mateo back much more quickly than I would have done.
One of the things I always enjoy about this series is catching up with familiar faces from the Prey Security world. You can always count on the team to rally around and support one another, which adds a feeling of continuity to the story.
Overall, I really enjoyed the storyline, the action, and the emotional tension. I'm already looking forward to the next book in the series.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Jane Blythe has once again knocked it out of the park with this book. What an amazing read and what a wild and crazy journey we were on with Mateo and his little mouse, Ally. I am honestly still coming to terms with what I read and can honestly say that this book is darker that what I have read from Jane Blythe but that only adds to the appeal of the story and what Mateo is wanting to achieve in his role with Azure. Ally is one brave and very strong woman and what the odds seemed to be stacked against her she did not give up and just continued to do as Mateo asked even though it was all against her survival instincts. I loved the book and know that there is more to come in this series is something to really look forward to because Jane Blythe never lets her readers down and we are sure to receive another amazing instalment.
Review of advance copy
Mateo and his neighbor Ally dated for about a year and then Mateo just left. No explanation, no letter, call or anything. Just disappeared. With the hurt that Ally felt she went back to feeling like she was nothing and wouldn't put herself out there anymore.
Mateo really didn't leave her all alone but would not give anyone a reason to go after her. Especially where he "worked". When Ally ends up where he works, he's shocked and can't really get her out without blowing his cover.
Ally is dumbfounded by seeing Mateo when she's in a cage. He's really not who he said he was. She wants nothing to do with him. Will Ally be able to break Mateo down to help her? Would he help her get out if she did?
These two together are sweet before it all goes to hades. A good addition to the series.
Mateo really didn't leave her all alone but would not give anyone a reason to go after her. Especially where he "worked". When Ally ends up where he works, he's shocked and can't really get her out without blowing his cover.
Ally is dumbfounded by seeing Mateo when she's in a cage. He's really not who he said he was. She wants nothing to do with him. Will Ally be able to break Mateo down to help her? Would he help her get out if she did?
These two together are sweet before it all goes to hades. A good addition to the series.
July 18, 2026
This book grabs you immediately and drags you straight into the disturbing reality of human trafficking. It’s dark, emotional, and unflinching — but it also spends a lot of time detailing Ally’s abuse. Necessary for the story? Yes. But it sometimes felt like the trauma overshadowed the suspense.
Mateo, our undercover MMC, is dedicated and determined… but I kept asking myself why he didn’t pull Ally out sooner. I know undercover ops require patience, but the wait felt long enough that even my Kindle wanted to intervene.
The tension is strong, the danger is real, and the series continues to deliver high‑stakes missions — but this installment leans more into emotional pain than action. I’ll absolutely keep going with the series, but I’m hoping future books shift back toward intrigue, danger, and momentum, with a little less prolonged suffering.
Mateo, our undercover MMC, is dedicated and determined… but I kept asking myself why he didn’t pull Ally out sooner. I know undercover ops require patience, but the wait felt long enough that even my Kindle wanted to intervene.
The tension is strong, the danger is real, and the series continues to deliver high‑stakes missions — but this installment leans more into emotional pain than action. I’ll absolutely keep going with the series, but I’m hoping future books shift back toward intrigue, danger, and momentum, with a little less prolonged suffering.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Defending Mateo had me tied up in an emotional mess. The depravity of mankind towards women really will have you in a chokehold.
Ally breaks your heart even before the darkness gets hold of her. Her tendency to disappear pains you just as much as it frustrates you because you want so much more for her. Mateo teeters in the grey, and I found myself torn between hating him and wanting him to do whatever it took to get out of the situation.
The Delta team brings levity and banter during the darkest moments, balancing the heavier emotions. You get dragged towards the light only to be pulled back again, and it frustrates you to no end.
Finally, when Mateo does what he has needed to do all along, you let out a sigh of relief and eagerly wait for their HEA to begin.
Ally breaks your heart even before the darkness gets hold of her. Her tendency to disappear pains you just as much as it frustrates you because you want so much more for her. Mateo teeters in the grey, and I found myself torn between hating him and wanting him to do whatever it took to get out of the situation.
The Delta team brings levity and banter during the darkest moments, balancing the heavier emotions. You get dragged towards the light only to be pulled back again, and it frustrates you to no end.
Finally, when Mateo does what he has needed to do all along, you let out a sigh of relief and eagerly wait for their HEA to begin.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is about a human trafficking ring and operative Mateo working to bring them down.
When his neighbour Ally gets kidnapped, Mateo finds her amongst the captives in Azure, the human trafficking ring he is working to bring down.
It's an interesting take on the two personalities that Mateo had to take on. One the brutal guard in the ring, and the other a love struck ex to Ally. But it's growth both these characters go through to escape that gets me.
So much chemistry amongst the brutal reality of the world she was bought into. I really felt for both of them and the strength they had to find to survive it all.
Great writing and fast paced plot that really pulls you in. Loved these guys and their team spirit also. Looking forward to more.
When his neighbour Ally gets kidnapped, Mateo finds her amongst the captives in Azure, the human trafficking ring he is working to bring down.
It's an interesting take on the two personalities that Mateo had to take on. One the brutal guard in the ring, and the other a love struck ex to Ally. But it's growth both these characters go through to escape that gets me.
So much chemistry amongst the brutal reality of the world she was bought into. I really felt for both of them and the strength they had to find to survive it all.
Great writing and fast paced plot that really pulls you in. Loved these guys and their team spirit also. Looking forward to more.
July 18, 2026
Unbelievable, unexpected
As much as I love to pray series and Jane Blythe's books this book witness direction that was so unexpected, so hard to even think of a possibility of it happening, knowing these books are just for the imagination. But it was disturbing to me I kept reading it thinking there's got to be more of a reason for this to be happening in the way that it was happening with the outcome that it had. As you can tell I'm having a hard time putting in words I love her writing I love all her books. It wasn't the lack of her good writing it was the storyline just didn't make sense to me no matter how hard I tried to make it make sense and I read the whole thing believing it had to make sense somewhere fantasy or not
As much as I love to pray series and Jane Blythe's books this book witness direction that was so unexpected, so hard to even think of a possibility of it happening, knowing these books are just for the imagination. But it was disturbing to me I kept reading it thinking there's got to be more of a reason for this to be happening in the way that it was happening with the outcome that it had. As you can tell I'm having a hard time putting in words I love her writing I love all her books. It wasn't the lack of her good writing it was the storyline just didn't make sense to me no matter how hard I tried to make it make sense and I read the whole thing believing it had to make sense somewhere fantasy or not
Review of advance copy
Ally was a shy young lady who fell for her neighbour Mateo. When he pulled back she thought she wasn't good enough and went back to being isolated.
A trip to the rubbish bins finds her kidnapped and in a cage. What is Mateo doing there, she didn't know who he worded for or that he was undercover.
Mateo worked in this nightmare of a place undercover for Prey. They needed to know who the head of this operation was to shut down the human trafficking ring once and for all.
Mateo and the team will do everything they can to save her, hopefully before it's too late.
There are triggers in this story and some of the details were ick. But I enjoyed the storyline and look forward to the next one.
A trip to the rubbish bins finds her kidnapped and in a cage. What is Mateo doing there, she didn't know who he worded for or that he was undercover.
Mateo worked in this nightmare of a place undercover for Prey. They needed to know who the head of this operation was to shut down the human trafficking ring once and for all.
Mateo and the team will do everything they can to save her, hopefully before it's too late.
There are triggers in this story and some of the details were ick. But I enjoyed the storyline and look forward to the next one.
Review of advance copy
Another deep dark and gritty story in this Prey Security Undercover Team series. A tender past relationship turns into a desperate situation when Mateo finds the his “little mouse” has been dragged into his dark world. Ally’s metal and emotional struggles were heartbreaking as she realized Mateo was not who she believed at first. I felt myself urging Mateo in my mind to step up quicker and was relieved when he saw his new path. There is a struggle against evil, the hope of freedom, the relief in Delta Team’s humor, and a love that triumphs. A hint of the next undercover member has me anticipating the next story.
Review of advance copy
I just love falling deeper into the Prey world and getting to know these amazing characters. The men drip with that alpha protective energy and so much strength. Mateo is all that and more. He’s driven to protect everyone, especially Ally. They have a relationship for a few months but he walks away so she won’t be dragged into his world. Too bad it doesn’t work. One night she’s taken and dropped into a reality she knows nothing about. What happens next is a whirlwind that no one was ready for. The trauma and the training. The insane chemistry between these two drew me in. I can’t wait to see what happens next.
July 14, 2026
Okay, I say this about every Blythe book, but I think this one is my favorite.
Ally has a quiet strength to her, that you can kinda see from, the beginning, and when sex gets abducted by a traffickers, she wont surprise you at what shes will to do to survive.
Mateo is broken in his own right, he been through something at such a young age thats absolutely heartbreaking, and I can completely understand why he has the fear he has of being "selfish" and few times I just wanted to shake him.
Together these two are a force.
Defending Mateo, is full of action, intensity and has a nice amount of spice.
I am beyond ready for the next one!!!
Ally has a quiet strength to her, that you can kinda see from, the beginning, and when sex gets abducted by a traffickers, she wont surprise you at what shes will to do to survive.
Mateo is broken in his own right, he been through something at such a young age thats absolutely heartbreaking, and I can completely understand why he has the fear he has of being "selfish" and few times I just wanted to shake him.
Together these two are a force.
Defending Mateo, is full of action, intensity and has a nice amount of spice.
I am beyond ready for the next one!!!
July 15, 2026
It's a no-win situation...
Mateo was trying to do the right thing, for the greater good, but that puts Ally in the crosshairs.
The one woman he wanted to keep safe, the woman he walked away from to keep her safe, the only woman he has ever or will ever love and she is now being trafficked.....and he is her trafficker. Heartbreaking, haunting and devastatingly cruel Mateo and Ally find themselves in a crazy nightmare that just keeps getting worse.
This is a tough journey and is heartbreakingly difficult to read, but I love seeing Mateo and Ally regain their bond and trust as they work together to escape....but can they bring the network down too?
A great read on Kindle Unlimited.
Mateo was trying to do the right thing, for the greater good, but that puts Ally in the crosshairs.
The one woman he wanted to keep safe, the woman he walked away from to keep her safe, the only woman he has ever or will ever love and she is now being trafficked.....and he is her trafficker. Heartbreaking, haunting and devastatingly cruel Mateo and Ally find themselves in a crazy nightmare that just keeps getting worse.
This is a tough journey and is heartbreakingly difficult to read, but I love seeing Mateo and Ally regain their bond and trust as they work together to escape....but can they bring the network down too?
A great read on Kindle Unlimited.
Review of advance copy
Do you like your men like their sweatpants? Grey? Dark gray? Well I do. If you do this is the book for you. The team is Undercover. DEEP undercover. So undercover that they do not even know the other members of the team.
Matao gave up the only thing he ever loved. Because he is not selfish. Not like his family. Ally is never been important a wall Flower if you will. When she falls and then gets ghosted it makes her vulnerable. What she does not know is that she is about to be pawn. Will Matao save his girl? Or will he choose the greater good. You have to read to find out.
Matao gave up the only thing he ever loved. Because he is not selfish. Not like his family. Ally is never been important a wall Flower if you will. When she falls and then gets ghosted it makes her vulnerable. What she does not know is that she is about to be pawn. Will Matao save his girl? Or will he choose the greater good. You have to read to find out.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Loved Ally and Mateo! Never did he ever think he would be tested in a way that would tear him apart. Mateo ghosted Ally after spending time together and each falling for the other, now to find her in a cell waiting to be broken and sold off to the highest bidder. He has to stay composed and do his job and when they come face to face and she realizes he’s a part of all of this. How could she let him in, but she’s going to need him to get her out. Everything is not what it seems, will Ally be able to trust him, believe him, still love him? I guess you need to read to find out.
July 21, 2026
Edge -of -your-seat book!
It was easy to figure out that Ally made a mistake from the start. Mateo's mistake was a bit more difficult to figure out because the action in this story kicked into top speed and did not slow down until the very end. Both Ally and Mateo had issues from their childhood that plagued them in adulthood but, they had a connection that bonded them and held them through humiliation, disrespect, degradation and close calls with death time after time. Read this but get ready to squirm, feel disgusted and horrified and finding an HEA.
It was easy to figure out that Ally made a mistake from the start. Mateo's mistake was a bit more difficult to figure out because the action in this story kicked into top speed and did not slow down until the very end. Both Ally and Mateo had issues from their childhood that plagued them in adulthood but, they had a connection that bonded them and held them through humiliation, disrespect, degradation and close calls with death time after time. Read this but get ready to squirm, feel disgusted and horrified and finding an HEA.
Review of advance copy
A nail biting and riveting read which captures attention from the outset.
A hard story to read, this series is very hard hitting and heart wrenching. Ally was more of a quiet and demure character, a far cry from Emma in the previous book! But she still showed immense courage and faith to stay strong. I didn’t warm to Mateo as much, I know his backstory affected him and I’m glad he came through in the end.
An enjoyable read and I look forward to the next book in the series.
A hard story to read, this series is very hard hitting and heart wrenching. Ally was more of a quiet and demure character, a far cry from Emma in the previous book! But she still showed immense courage and faith to stay strong. I didn’t warm to Mateo as much, I know his backstory affected him and I’m glad he came through in the end.
An enjoyable read and I look forward to the next book in the series.
Review of advance copy
Such an emotional, dark, and crazy story. Ally fell for her next door neighbor, they dated for awhile and then he ghosted her, and she didn't know why. Mateo was the next door neighbor. The reason that he ghosted her was he was undercover and didn't want her to get hurt. One night Ally got abducted taking out the trash. When Ally woke up she was in a concrete cell. She was abducted because Azure wanted to test Mateo's loyalty. Such a dark story, Ally was so brave and Mateo was unselfish.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Jane Blythe has done it again with another fast-paced, suspenseful read. She’s one of my favorite authors, and I’ve been reading her books for the past couple of years. This is definitely a dark romance. Mateo was a character I had mixed feelings about, while Ally was much easier to like. Overall, I really enjoyed the story and couldn’t put it down. I’m already looking forward to the next book in the series.
August 7, 2026
Mouse!!
I’m gonna say this right off the bat. If you’re not into super dark storylines this is not the book for you.
Mateo Adler is under deep cover on a human trafficking ring and to test his loyalty they take the woman he’s been involved with.
Ally feels betrayed by the one person she thought she could trust.
There story is not an easy one to read but in the end they have there HEA.
I’m gonna say this right off the bat. If you’re not into super dark storylines this is not the book for you.
Mateo Adler is under deep cover on a human trafficking ring and to test his loyalty they take the woman he’s been involved with.
Ally feels betrayed by the one person she thought she could trust.
There story is not an easy one to read but in the end they have there HEA.
May 20, 2026
Oh Lord! Jane Blythe has done it again! Mateo does not want to be like his family - selfish - so he gives up the only person he has ever loved. Ally has never felt wanted or seen but she fell for Mateo. Their story is hard to read at times but every minute of it has you praying they find their way through the suck and safety. Sometimes the only way out, is to go through the fire - together!
June 3, 2026
Oh man what a book. Mateo is phenomenal. Ally was so strong through this whole book. You felt everything when you read this story. The pain and struggles the characters go though is heartbreaking and uplifting all at the same time. The story is so intense from the beginning to the end. I already can’t wait to read the next book in the series! These books just keep getting better and better.
Review of advance copy
Defending Mateo was a definite thrill-ride from beginning to end! Mateo thought giving Ally up would protect her, but he was wrong. Now he must fight to save her and himself before it's too late for either of them. Ally was a character I could relate to since she was an introvert and a book lover. Mateo is a rough around the edges hero. The two make for the perfect story!!!
Review of advance copy
This series is intense so far. Matteo seems to be stuck between a rock and a hard place. Ally is much stronger than she thinks she is. They seem to be exactly what each other needs. The storyline contains some truly horrifying moments but there are also some beautiful ones. Looking forward to the next book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was a story about forgiveness, redemption and strength. Both characters learned how to be strong, how to bend and not break, and how to put the pain of the past behind them to build a better future together. I love that the hero quotes Christopher Robin.
Review of advance copy
The second book in the Undercover series is more exciting and more troubling than the first one. Mateo thought leaving was protecting, not counting on Azure to test him. Protect his love or stop Azure while staying undercover is the hardest decision to ever make.
Review of advance copy
I love jane's books and this one is no different I struggled a little with the triggers in this one but I kept going with it. Mateo is the typical morally grey character, Ally's character has me in tears but I am glad they both get their happily ever after they both deserve it
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews