Liam

The Ashcroft Agency #1

by Kate Randall

Thirteen years. A thousand regrets. One chance at redemption.

Liam Ashcroft was a ghost with no name, past, or future. Only the mission.

Then he met Maggie.

One stolen week in Italy. One name he should have never revealed. One woman he was supposed to forget.

He left to keep her safe. And regretted it the moment the elevator doors closed between them.

For years, he tried to forget her laughter, her touch, the way she melted beneath him.

And he failed.

Now Liam is moving to her town, barging back into her life, and proving the heat between them never died, even if she would rather burn him than forgive him.

Maggie Lasher dismissed Liam as a vacation fling, a charming British stranger she was stupid enough to fall for in a week.

Then he showed up out of the blue and threw her carefully built life into chaos.

She spent years fortifying the steel walls between them. The last thing she needs is him fixing things around her house, mowing her lawn, bringing her lunch, or standing close enough to remind her exactly how his touch made her feel.

She certainly isn’t about to admit that his arrogant smirk still makes her pulse race, or that every argument leaves her wondering what it would be like to have his lips on her again.

But just as the walls between them finally start to crack, just when something that feels dangerously like a second chance takes shape, ghosts from Liam's past show up to settle old scores.

Now the mission isn’t winning her back. It’s keeping her alive long enough to choose him—before his enemies take that choice away.

287 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 5, 2026

About the author

Kate is a lover of all things books. It doesn’t matter what genre, as long as there’s a HEA, she’s in. She started reading romance in high school and would hide novels in textbooks to read during class. Becoming an author was always a dream she had and finally decided to put pen to paper (or finger to keyboard) and write what she loves. She grew up in the beautiful Upper Peninsula of Michigan then became a West Coast girl where she lives with her amazing husband and hilarious son. She would love to hear from readers so check out all her socials and sign up for her newsletter so she can keep you up to date on her books and whatever other ramblings come to mind.

Reviews

[Cass | readsinsteadofsleeping · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

LIAM! Finally we meet. I must admit I liked Liam’s character much more than Jude, but both were very entertaining.

Liam meets Maggie in Italy while on a mission. After the mission kicks up he chooses to leave her behind to keep her safe, but instantly has regrets. Thirteen years later Liam rolls into town, deciding he’s done waiting. He swears he is going to try to win her back, even if it hurts him in the end. Maggie isn’t going to make it easy on him. Her character is fierce, and I am glad she didn’t just roll over for him. Danger approaches and Liam’s team steps up to try and protect their found family.

If you’re looking for a fast paced, spicy, emotional read, this is it. The care that Liam shows Maggie, and little things he does to make her life easier is seriously swoony. I hope we get to learn more about Liam’s security team in future books!

Thank you to The Next Step PR for providing an advanced review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own!

[GoodLittleLibraryMouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED!
Listen, I've been waiting for Liam's story since Jude and this book did not disappoint!
I absolutely love that Maggie was not only strong and smart, but stuck to her decisions and allowed Liam to spend the time actually proving he's changed and trustworthy - it's so hard to write a second chance romance and Kate Randall did it so well!!
I also enjoyed that we're finally exploring the Ashcroft agency, but surprised at how much I'm amused by the new community of people we're meeting, even including the sketchy folks in town! I sincerely can't wait to see where we go next with everyone!

Thank you for gifting me an advanced reader copy. Review reflective of my personal opinions

[NanaX8 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grab a comfy chair and your favorite drink and get ready for an action packed, steamy, second chance for Liam & Maggie. Get ready to laugh and cry…and most of all enjoy how Liam takes every opportunity to get his girl & her precocious daughter back. But can Liam protect all that he holds dear as his past comes after them?❤️❤️❤️

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thirteen years later. Did Liam really think he could win Maggie back?

Well, this second chance romance had me rooting for him despite that many years!

Maggie…make him work for it! HARD! LOL!

Wonderful start to a new series! I definitely want to continue!

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liam Ashcroft was more than just a Royal Marine and thinking he was making the best decision at the time, turned out to be the one that cost him the most.
Maggie Lasher is as smart as she is beautiful. Her brief time with Liam was all consuming while on vacation and was everything she wanted, until it wasn’t. As the years go by, Liam has kept Maggie in his sites, regardless of what she wants, but these two were meant to be, and Liam will stop at nothing to win her back. The secondary characters add moments of levity, especially Talia, Maggie’s precocious daughter. When the danger hits close to home the Ashcroft Agency is all hands on deck to take care of their own. This a great kickoff to a new series, and my thanks to the author for the opportunity to read and review her work.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liam and Maggie had a cute initial meeting and spent a week getting to know each other. Unfortunately, Liam had to end it in the most brutal way imaginable due to the possible danger to Maggie and the secret mission/job that Liam had. He tries to make amends later, but it was the day she was getting married. Not his best moment ever. Finally, he understands that over the top gifts are not appreciated and he decides to just be present and determined to get her back. I like how he gave her space but remained available. I like how he cultivated sincere relationships with Maggie's daughter and her sister. I like how he supported them when needed and sometimes without being asked. Maggie learned to trust him in her own time and that is what mattered most to her heart.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 1st story in The Ashcroft Agency Series where we find Liam making changes in his life and business to get back Maggie. These two had genuine feelings when they meet 13 years ago in Italy only for Liam to push Maggie away to keep her safe. Over the years their paths have crossed and when Liam moves to a neighboring farm from Maggie and her little girl do they both struggle with being in the same town together. Liam knows he wants Maggie and she wants a man she can trust. When Liam’s past comes for them he does what he’s good at, protecting those he loves!

[Ann L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg. About time we get to see Jude’s brother Liam’s turn to fall.

Liam and Maggie have plenty of chemistry, this is a second-chance romance with years of regrets and Maggie’s stubbornness that certainly makes him work for her forgiveness. I loved seeing Liam go all out to win Maggie back, but when his past catches up with them, things get dangerous.

This is great mix of passion, drama, suspense and a hard-earned second chance at love. Bloody brilliant.

[Tracy ann Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liam is with his work partner in a bar waiting for their target. He notices a woman with her friends on holiday. their mission gets called off, that woman is Maggie. but sadly. Liam tells her he no longer wants to see her. 13 years later Liam decides to move from London to America with his granddad. now Maggie has a little girl and her sister lives with her. Maggie is a very good doctor. Maggie opens the door and Liam is on her doorstep. He tells her he her new neighbour. won't say no more it's an addictive read and so can't wait for book to as ends on a cliffhanger.

[Melanie Christiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been waiting for Liam and Maggie

I was wondering how you bring Liam and Maggie together. It was a really great read. Really looking forward to the rest of the series. It will be awesome to see Liam and the boys back.

[Lofty · Rating 5 out of 5]

5*
Liam is on a mission with Kingsley and meets Maggie in the club after his contact didn't turn up. After a wonderful week he's no option but to leave her to keep her safe.
Maggie is upset the way Liam acted and was determined to succeed in life. Getting married and having a good career are her new goals.
Breaking out on her own she's doing well for herself and her daughter Talia. When Liam makes contact again he knows he's got to work hard to win her back.

[Sarah Slusarczyk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fresh off the press with a new series, Kate Randall delivers the first book in The Ashcroft Agency series; Liam. This is a true, small-town, second chance romance, buckle up readers and get ready for an adventure!

Liam Ashcroft made one decision over a decade ago that changed his life forever. A royal marine, beyond good at his job, money, but all it did was cost him the one woman he has never been able to let go of. Now, years later he is making changes to be the man that she needs him to be, but Maggie isn’t going to make it easy for him. Oh no, not when Liam comes barreling through her quiet, seemingly normal life. He brings chaos…and feelings she thought were long buried.

Maggie Lasher has made a life for her and her daughter, one filled with a lovely family in a small town where nothing crazy happens. Meeting Liam all those years ago in Italy changed her, what he did to her, changed her, now he’s back and trying to win her back. All these years later, and now he’s back…but is she really ready to let him back in?

Liam and Maggie’s story was fast paced and interesting. Maggie isn’t a push over, she knows who she is and what she is worth, she isn’t simply going to roll over and forgive Liam for what he put her through. Too much time has passed, and yet it doesn’t feel like any time at all. Liam had made it known to…well everyone that he is in town for Maggie, and she needs someone she can trust, someone who will be there for her and her family. Can Liam be that guy? When Liam’s past comes calling, making Maggie and the one’s she loves targets, Liam calls in the rest of his team and they will stop at nothing to keep them safe.

I enjoyed Liam, it reads very much like a Susan Stoker book, very similar vibes. Maggie is a strong character, and I think she fits Liam perfectly. He is all strong alpha-man type, and Maggie lets him do his thing, but she also doesn’t let him walk all over her. I will be interested to get more stories of the rest of Liam’s team and where the series will take us.

4 ⭐️
3 🌶️

Tropes:

🇬🇧 Small Town Romance-
🧡 Single Mom
🇬🇧 Second Chance Romance
🧡 Suspense Filled

[Julie Booklover · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

New series, new problem but there is a family tie to a character we know. Jude, while I liked you in your book, I love Liam. You are both different, but I plan to enjoy both worlds.

Maggie and Liam meet in Italy, he is on a mission, but they spend memorial time together. However, it ends badly. His mission heats up and he pushes Maggie away for her safety. Liam immediately regrets this decision.

Thirteen years later, Liam makes a decision. He is going to make the woman he cannot forget his and moves to her town. Her walls are high and thick. She will not fall for Liam again. He is close, too close, will she fall again?

Danger appears on her doorstep; can Liam and his team protect them?

I loved this fast paced read, I enjoyed meeting Liam’s team. I am looking forward to getting to know them all.

Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review

[Shannon Godwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast paced romance that I loved then hated then loved. Liam and Maggie start out perfect, getting to know each other and it’s looking great. Then he leaves her bc of the trouble that them being together puts her in. Years later Liam decides he’s coming back to fight for Maggie….. but danger is still there. Maggie isn’t so quick to just jump back in to where they left off with good reason. She doesn’t make things easy for him and he has to prove himself. But can he do it and keep her safe? Great book!!

[Amy Penn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes!

I’ve been waiting for Liam and it did not disappoint. Im so happy for him! I love to see him gain a daughter. He was so good with her. Also Walter was the absolute best! The romance and suspense were perfect. Can’t wait for the next book!