Mission Meet Cute

by Katana Collins

I needed a fake boyfriend...

Instead, I got a Navy SEAL who refuses to fake anything.

My love life has officially become a public safety issue.

My dangerously obsessive ex refuses to take no for an answer, so naturally my matchmaking company comes up with the only logical Fake date the matchmaker.

Hunter Dawson is a retired Navy SEAL with a permanent scowl, trust issues the size of Texas, and a bad habit of treating every problem like it's a military operation. Pretending to be my boyfriend is supposed to scare my ex away.

Instead, Hunter starts glaring at every man who looks at me, sleeping on my couch "just in case," and kissing me like forever was always part of the mission.

Which would all be wildly romantic...

...if someone wasn't trying to kill us.

Now we're chasing dangerous men, uncovering secrets buried in my past, and discovering the line between fake and forever disappears surprisingly fast when bullets start flying.

Turns out my fake boyfriend had one fatal flaw.

He was never pretending.

Genres: Military Fiction, Forced Proximity

420 pages, Paperback

Published October 12, 2026

About the author

Katana Collins is a USA Today bestselling author of over twenty novels, novellas, and comic books in a variety of genres. She is most known for her sensual contemporary romances and her wildly popular comic book— Batman White Knight Presents: Harley Quinn with DC Comics.

When she was younger and stole her mother’s Harlequins to read beneath the covers with a flashlight, she wanted to read about the tough as nails heroine. The perfectly imperfect girl with quirks and attitude and sass. And the anti-heroes who were anything but “Prince Charming.” Forget the knight on a white horse … she wanted the bad boy on a motorcycle.

An avid animal lover, she lives in Portland, Maine with her kind of mean cat, derpy lab-pitt mix, mellow chihuahua, and very not mellow cairn terrier puppy. Oh, yeah… there’s a husband somewhere in that mix, too.

She can usually be found in a coffee shop with her nose buried in a laptop wearing fabulous (albeit sometimes impractical) shoes.


She loves connecting with book lovers like herself, and fellow sassy storytellers, so feel free to drop her an email, visit her on her website. She also loves connecting on Instagram, Facebook or in her reader group, Kat’s Kittens!

Reviews

[Bookish Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my second read by Katana Collins, and I am such a fan of her writing! If you love high-energy ex-military romance packed with delicious romantic tension and slow-burn relationships, you need to add this to your TBR immediately.

When Riley's dangerously obsessive ex refuses to take no for an answer, her matchmaking agency—run by ex-Navy SEALs—comes up with a wild solution: fake date the matchmaker. Enter Hunter, a broody retired SEAL who treats the entire arrangement like a tactical military operation. What starts as a ruse to scare her ex away quickly blurs into reality when Hunter becomes fiercely protective, but the stakes skyrocket when someone actually tries to kill them.

I loved both main characters individually and together - Riley is fiercely independent bike mechanic who has survived a rough life and built something amazing for herself. And I always loved a dog feature and this book has Titan who is the ultra-protective and loving furry BFF. Hunter is the ultimate sexy, tactile, and protective ex-military MMC.

Collins features some of my favorite tropes including fake dating, forced proximity, slow burn, and the one-bed scenario. Sharp banter balances an action-packed plot of suspense.

Thank you to Hambright PR for the e-arc.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Katana Collin’s and Hambright PR for gifting me this eARC in exchange for a honest review.

I honestly couldn’t put this book down. It’s exactly the kind of fun, high-energy military romance I love, and it completely hooked me from the start.
The fake-dating trope is done so well here. I was dealing with a terrible ex, so the matchmaking company set me up to fake-date Hunter Dawson—this broody, retired Navy SEAL who treats literally everything like a tactical operation. Watching his permanent scowl completely melt as he falls for me was easily my favorite part of the whole book.
It has the perfect mix of witty banter, genuine slow-burn tension, and that amazing forced proximity that kept me reading late into the night. Plus, having Riley and the rest of Hunter's military brothers involved in the setup added so much chaotic found-family heart to the story.

I’d easily give it 4/5 stars. If you love a protective hero and a romance that just leaves you feeling good, you definitely need to pick this one up.

Releases November 4

#HPRMissionMeetCute #bookrecs
#KatanaCollins #hambrightpr #romancebooks

[Rebecca's Spicy Book Nook · Rating 4 out of 5]

eARC review 

Fake dating, a grumpy retired Navy SEAL, and a heroine who refuses to be pushed around? YES, PLEASE!

When Riley Wilson needs an escape from her dangerous ex, a fake relationship with Hunter Dawson feels like her only out. Hunter is oozing those protective grumpy ex-SEAL vibes that I completely eat up. Riley is a freaking badass. She is fiercely independent, a top tier pool-shark, and more than capable of challenging any man at every turn.  

OOO the banter between these 2 was hilarious and their chemistry was off the charts. I loved how Hunter's exterior starts cracking around Riley.  The pace was good -   there was always danger lurking in the background and who doesn't love a MMC who takes his job of protecting her VERY seriously. 

Tropes:
Fake dating
Ex-Military MMC
Mechanic FMC
Grump/Black Cat 
Rom-Com
Dislike to lovers
Suspense
Touch her & die 
Forced proximity 
Spice 1/5

*big thank you to Katana and Hambright PR for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Phylicia♡ · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

This was such a fun suspenseful read! It kept my attention throughout with just the right amount of action and suspense, sprinkled with a former Navy SEAL MMC (yesss! 😌) named Hunter who is protective by nature, and a biker FMC who stands her ground, kicks butt and takes names, Riley.

Hunter plays matchmaker for Riley as they work to uncover who tried to set her garage on fire and is coming after her. Along the way, they end up fake dating, and you can definitely feel the chemistry between them, which is filled with lots of humor and banter. Riley was full of sass.

The pacing was just right and Hunter being a protective hunk who definitely fell first for Riley was perfection! I’ll be checking out more of Katana Collins’s books in the future!

Thank you, Hambright PR, for the ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Jade Roush · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Katana Collins and Hambright PR for this E-ARC of Mission Meet Cute! I loved Fall Is Brewing so much, so I was beyond excited to get my hands on this one.

Mission Meet Cute was such an amazing ride! I read it in one sitting and honestly couldn’t put it down. I loved both Riley (FMC) and Hunter (MMC), individually and together. Their story was just so much fun, and I cannot recommend this one enough! If you love a strong FMC and a protective Ex Navy Seal MMC this is the one for you!🥰

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Hambright PR and Katana Collins for letting me advance read this book. I absolutely ate it up and loved it!! Low on the spice too!!

A retired navy seal who works for a matching making company and a biker mechanic who meet at a dive bar but not in the way you would expect…

Strangers to lovers, slow burn, one medium sized spice scene and there’s a whole mystery/case going on that they are trying to solve while spending lots of time together.

My one note is maybe Hunter does know best and should be listened to….

[Laurie Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hunter is a former Navy Seal, that now helps run a match making company. Riley is a motorcycle mechanic with her own shop. Formerly a foster kid, she is guarded and rough around the edges. The descriptions of sounds and smells bring back memories of being at Myrtle Beach during bike week, which adds even more depth for me to this story. Looking forward to reading more from this author.
#HPRMissionMeetCute
#KatanaCollins
#HambrightPR

[Melanie Schuler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Hambright PR for the eARC in exchange for a honest review.

Riley Wilson is dealing with a dangerously obsessive ex who won’t leave her alone and also her life seems to be suddenly in danger. In enters Hunter Dawson, a retired Navy Seal who is a matchmaker who can help protect her. But to keep her ex away who doesn’t believe she’d hire a matchmaker, she ends up fake dating Hunter instead all while having to deal with buried past secrets and possible bullets flying at her from dangerous people after her.

I like how tough Riley is and how she had to be between her childhood growing up in a foster home and also dealing with an ex who didn’t necessarily leave her alone. Although some of her decisions aren’t the best especially when she doesn’t entirely listen to warnings from Hunter about who she was interacting with. I get wanting to be able to handle things against dangerous men but sometimes it’s stupid to go up against some that you have no idea who you’re dealing with at all.

I liked how Hunter became a complete goner for Riley fairly quickly despite not wanting to at first. He clearly wanted to keep Riley as only a mission to deal with and not get involved past that.

I enjoyed the slow burn between Riley and Hunter as they navigated around each other. So when it came to them finally kissing, it was a great payoff. Although, that first kiss scene didn’t lead to anything spicier right away.

I was a bit surprised at the twist and turns leading up to the reveal of who was after Riley. There were some puzzle pieces of the plot that gave just hints of foreshadowing who might be after her that I tried to guess at but I didn’t quite connect it before the big reveal. So I liked that. The final showdown of action was quick and brutal with it wrapping up nicely on taking down the bad people.

On an aside note, I realized that even though it wasn’t listed as part of a series, there were side characters that sounded like they had their own storyline from a previous book. So I believe I had to read one of the other books with the side character from this one in order to know more background especially since small parts in this plot seemed to be a bit interconnected.

[Julie Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can’t resist a book where the main male character is a former Navy SEAL, so I was drawn to Hunter Dawson right away. He is aloof, scowls a lot and has major trust issues. Hunter had a strict upbringing and joined the military young. He’s haunted by things he saw as a SEAL. Hunter works with former military buddies, Griffin and Thatcher, at a matchmaking business called SEALed with a Kiss. They also have cases on the side they are trying to solve from the past.

Riley Wilson is a very strong and independent female main character who works as a motorcycle mechanic in the garage she owns called Torque & Tiaras. She named her motorcycle Banshee and has a protective boxer named Tank. Riley had a tough childhood as a foster kid and recently got out of the motorcycle club scene when she broke up with her boyfriend Mace. He’s the president of The Vultures motorcycle club and won’t let Riley go. Riley has major abandonment issues and is afraid to love and be left behind.

Riley and Hunter meet at a dive bar where she humiliates Mace in a pool game when he tries to get her to do some illegal mechanic work for The Vultures. She refuses and leaves for home. Hunter is worried for her safety and follows her, then quietly stands guard outside her home that night. He prevents an attack on Riley’s business, and she reluctantly allows Hunter to keep her safe. They end up fake dating as a cover story for Hunter’s constant presence by her side.

The story becomes more and more complex at it appears Riley is still under threat from outside sources. Her foster brother Mike and her best friend Abby are supportive and also drawn in to the threats. Riley and Hunter fight their building attraction as they face danger together.

This story seems better categorized as romantic suspense, not a romantic comedy in my opinion. It’s a real page-turner though and has twists I didn’t see coming. The last few chapters had me on the edge of my seat! Luckily, there is a happy ending with some bumps and bruises along the way.

[Jo Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

MISSION MEET CUTE by KATANA COLLINS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Mission Meet Cute is book two (#2) in the SEALed With A Kiss series

Riley Wilson’s love life is a disaster. Trying to separate herself from her dangerous ex, Riley agrees to ‘fake date’ her matchmaker.

Retired Navy SEAL Hunter Dawson is the opposite of dating material, grumpy, bossy, a face like granite and an attitude to match. He’s determined to protect Riley from her ex, from her past and from herself….

————————

Mission Meet Cute is an interesting read with a low level threat running throughout, simmering anttra between the MCs and an explosive scene at the end.

Both MCs are engaging and interesting in their own way. Riley has survived the care system and has the emotional scars to show for it. She’s convinced that no one stays. She’s bold, she’s brash, she’s argumentative and she’s not afraid to put men in their place - right where they belong. She lives for motorbikes and her cute dog.

Hunter has served his country, lost friends and lives his life in a conservative way, he’s rigid, organised, meticulous. He loves butting heads with Riley. When a ghost from his past seemingly rears his head Hunter will do anything to protect her, even if that makes him appear stalkerish.

I thought this story had great pacing, an an interesting premise. The SEALed with a Kiss guys are interesting and I enjoyed their banter.

As the MCs relationship progresses there is an open door spicy scene but this isn’t until around 60+% of the book, and is tasteful.

I read an ebook version of this book, with around 420 pages (paperback copy), a colourful illustrated cover and great editing. This book releases on November 4th 2026.

With thanks to Katana Collins and Hambright PR for an early read of this delightful book. All comments are my own honest, unbiased opinion.

🏍️ Fake Dating
🏍️ SEAL
🏍️ Open Door Spice 🔥🔥
🏍️ Military Romance
🏍️ Protective Hero
🏍️ Mechanic FMC

[Jasmine · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

First of all, I LOVED that the female main character, Riley Wilson, was a mechanic and a biker. Her badassery and feisty attitude never failed to amaze me from the beginning, and I particularly enjoyed reading the parts when she was in her element. And then there was Hunter Dawson, the broody yet protective retired NAVY Seal who now worked as a matchmaker in a company called SEALed with a Kiss, alongside his military brothers. Yep, you heard that right. The contradiction couldn't be more hilarious and made him such a fun character to fall in love with.

Although I had a great time devouring Riley and Hunter's story, my biggest issue with this book--umm...and Katana Collins' other books, for that matter--was the pace of it. For example, there were so many details about the protagonists that could've been introduced early on so I could have a better understanding of the situation they were in, or a clearer idea about what they looked like. Instead, it wasn't until the very last 5-10% of the book did I get literally ALL of the information, answers, closure, and even plot twists as if the author all of a sudden remembered these were not mentioned yet and the ending was fast approaching.

Anyways, don't get me wrong, this book was still a delightful read to me despite the inconsistent pacing, and I would very likely continue to read Katana's future work. It was just that I wish some of the details, however little they might be, could be provided sooner so the whole story could flow more naturally. That said, please consider picking this up whenever you can & hopefully, you'll enjoy the ride with Riley and Hunter!

***Thanks to the author and Hambright PR for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.***

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

"𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙣 𝙤𝙥. 𝘼 𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣. 𝘼 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩 𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩. 𝙎𝙝𝙚’𝙨 𝙖 𝙘𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙩. 𝘼 𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙩. 𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙗𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮.”

𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚛𝚞𝚗𝚍𝚘𝚠𝚗:
When Riley is threatened by her dangerous ex, a fake relationship with ex-Navy SEAL Hunter Dawson seems like the only way out. But as the two work together to uncover what’s really going on they find that it might not be just Riley in danger.

𝙼𝚢 𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚎:
Fake dating, a grumpy retired Navy SEAL, and a heroine who refuses to be pushed around? YES, PLEASE!

After loving book one in this series, I was really excited for this one & it did NOT disappoint. The sarcastic banter between our MC’s was perfection. Add in an adorable garage dog & I was hooked!

The last 15% of this book had me STRESSING. After all the build up from the story & all that we learned, the reveal was literally everything I wanted it to be. THIS is how you do romantic suspense right!

This one truly was perfection from start to finish. Can’t wait for book 3!

𝙵𝚊𝚟𝚘𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚎 𝚀𝚞𝚘𝚝𝚎:

“𝙁𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙨, 𝙄 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙝𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙖 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙚…
𝘽𝙪𝙩 𝙞𝙩 𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙨 𝙤𝙪𝙩, 𝙞𝙩’𝙨 𝙖 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙤𝙣.
𝙃𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙍𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙮 𝙒𝙞𝙡𝙨𝙤𝙣’𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙢𝙨.”

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗴𝗲𝘁:
🔧black cat FMC x grumpy MMC
🔧she’s a mechanic, he’s an ex-Navy SEAL
🔧dislike to lovers
🔧fake dating
🔧forced proximity
🔧Tank the dog
🔧suspense

Thank you to Hambright PR & Katana Collins for the ARC one exchange for my honest review!

[Emmy Wong · Rating 4 out of 5]

This second book in the super cute “SEALed with a kiss” series completely stole my heart. It keeps the same theme of Ex Navy officers who started their own matchmaking business, but this time, while Hunter helps Riley find her “perfect match” he gets roped into playing her fake boyfriend. It’s a classic heroine in danger trope so he pretends to be her boyfriend to get rid of her criminal biker ex boyfriend. But jokes on her with the “fake boyfriend” stuff because you can tell that Hunter was down bad form the very first chapter. He follows her home because he’s worried for her safety and literally finds and defuses a bomb in her garage, then refuses to leave and sleeps on her garage floor keeping lookout. Gosh Hunter you make me swoon! And Riley herself is a girlboss She’s an amazing mechanic and cool bike lover, but also has her own abandonment issues underneath it all. While Hunter has his moments, he proves to her that he will always stay and come for her when she’s in danger. Speaking of danger, they go through a whole lot it throughout the book and those plot twists were diabolical. This book had really great plot that paired so well with the witty humor and cute romance. It’s such a fun read and I give it a 4/5

[Kayla’s bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the setup of this one. Having a fake boyfriend who’s a former Navy Seal is already a pretty solid starting point, but when you throw in a dangerously obsessive ex, secrets and actual danger, things get a whole lot more interesting.

One of my favourite parts was learning more about the FMC’s history. I always appreciate when there’s more to a character than what we see on the surface, and getting that extra insight into her past added another layer to her story. It made me more invested in understanding her and what she’d been through.

I loved the potential for those moments where the line between pretending and reality starts to blur. Because let’s be honest, fake dating is at its best when the feelings start getting a little too real!

I also enjoyed that there was more happening beyond the romance. The suspense and danger kept things moving, so it wasn’t just about whether these two would finally admit what was happening between them.

Overall, this was a really enjoyable read that delivered on one of my favourite tropes while giving the story an extra layer of action and intrigue.

[Read_with_Beans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the author and Hambright PR for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first book by the author, but it certainly won’t be my last. I absolutely loved this book. I have started reading romantic suspense this year and have been really loving the subgenre.

This book has a bad-ass FMC that readers will be rooting for and getting their laughs from. She is as good a motorcycle mechanic as she is quick-witted and full of sass and fearlessness. I have not enjoyed an FMC this much in a really long time. She may not be perfect, but her imperfections make for a really good story.

The MMC is protective but not overly so and quite a badass in his own right, a Navy SEAL. He makes for a perfect protector and fake dating partner, as he challenges the FMC but respects her just as much. They are pretty much imperfect and perfect for each other at the same time.

The pacing of this book was great and only outdone by the great banter between the characters. This book has all the laughter, drama, suspense, action, and everything in between, and readers will love every page of it.

I highly recommend this book.

[Rachel · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

Mission Meet Cute had an interesting premise, combining Romand and suspense with a little humor. A retired Navy SEAL turned matchmaker isn't something you come across every day and I was curious to see how the story would unfold.

I liked Thatcher and Allie's relationship, especially the unexpected connection between a m an who makes a living finding love for other people and a woman who isn't entirely honest about why she's seeking his help. Their banter and contrasting personalities added some entertaining moments.

The combination of romance and suspense had potential, but the story didn't come together for me as much as I had hoped. I waned to see more development in the relationship and a I felt it lacked emotional depth between the characters. Some of the plot felt a little too convenient, which made it harder to become fully vested in.

Overall, a good read but not a favorite. I would recommend for readers who enjoy a lighter romance mixed with humor and suspense.

[Lisa Benison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Witty Rom-Com with a Touch of Suspense - Hard to Put Down

This book was amazing fun with a lot of wonderful elements and characters and because it was so well written and flowed so well it was very hard for me to put down. I genuinely liked both Riley and Hunter, so was rooting for them, and the dual POV made it easier to understand their pasts and where they were coming from. Their mutual attraction was off the charts it and was fun to see both of them trying to hide it and "do the right thing". I loved Riley's sass, and Hunter's dry responses, and Tank her dog just added to the chaos and fun. Then the intrique and suspense towards the end of the book ensured that there was no way I was putting it down until it was finished. The book is part of a series, but is easily read as a standalone but I personally can't wait for the next one - Enjoy!

I was sent an ARC by Hambright PR and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

[Zehra__reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This rom com book had me grinning, swooning and thoroughly entertained! I absolutely LOVED Riley! Her sass, wit and quick thinking were brilliant. She's the kind of FMC who makes you want to sit back, grab some popcorn and enjoy the chaos.

And Hunter… WHAT A DUDE! A solid, calm and controlled man… until he wasn't. And honestly? I was HERE for it. And the banter between these two? CHEF'S KISS.

Their back-and-forth, the sarcasm, the little jabs and the chemistry had me hooked. Sarcastic love language is my jam, and these two delivered it in abundance!

And then there's that plot twist… I love it when a story manages to catch me off guard, and this one certainly delivered! It was such a fun, entertaining read, with characters who genuinely made the experience so fun.

Riley and Hunter have officially earned a spot in my bookish heart. And Katana Collins? She's firmly on my radar now, and trust me, she should definitely be on yours too!

[Etnies75 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me start by saying I truly enjoyed this story, the book itself was really funny and fast paced, Riley was a strong, independent FMC and wouldn’t be bullied by anyone no matter how dangerous they were. I loved that she was so strong despite having such a rough start in life and owned her business doing something she loved. Let’s talk about Hunter, he was also a strong MMC who was still haunted by his past as a SEAL and had to work through a lot to be able to be with someone as independent as Riley, the tension, banter, yearning and chemistry between them was off the charts! Riley’s puppy however stole the show for me! He was so fiercely protective of her while being goofy and also an extremely good boy and I loved him for it!

The suspense in the story kept me hooked from the very first page, that being said I felt like the romance aspect of the book was secondary because the majority of the story was focused on catching whoever was after them and remaining safe, I still truly enjoyed it, it was just different to what I was expecting.

If you like a strong FMC, fake dating, a military MMC, matchmaking businesses, banter and suspense, then this is the book for you! This was my first Katana Collins book and it won’t be my last, I can’t wait to see what comes next in the SEALed with a kiss series! Thank you so much to the author and to Hambright PR for such an action-packed story!

[JJ Cornette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Riley and Hunter! Their chemistry jumped right off the page from their first introduction. Riley is a tough bike mechanic who loves dive bars and hustling at pool. When she's first introduced to Hunter you can see the sparks fly. When she threatens her ex, who also happens to be the head of the local MC, Hunter decides to follow and keep an eye on her. When someone tries to blow up her shop, they're thrust together in a complicated web of deception. Which takes off with some fake boyfriend claims as well. While Hunter wants to cling to his regimented former SEAL ways to protect Riley, there's no denying is interest is more than professional. The way these two interact was so much fun. I definitely enjoyed this read, if you're looking for a mystery with lots of strings to uncross along with some romance between two strong personalities, this is for you!

[Pauline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This next book in the series is a fun, high energy, story in the SEALed with a Kiss dating agency. When Riley Wilson's ex comes back into her life, it appears that her life is about to get very complicated. Hunter Dawson is an ex-SEAL who, along with his colleagues, set up a dating agency as a cover for their investigative work. When it becomes apparent that Riley's life could be in danger, the solution seems to be for Hunter and Riley to "date"! As they spend more time together and things get more dangerous, the sparks between Hunter and Riley fly.

This was a great story, that flowed smoothly, moving swiftly to keep the reader engaged and draw them into Riley's world. The twists in this story kept things interesting and one final turn at the end was very unexpected. Loved this book!

[Beth · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

" This is an op. A mission. A threat assessment. She’s a client. A target to protect. That should be the whole story."


Riley Wilson is a woman built for trouble, and Hunter Dawson is the grumpy ex-Navy SEAL who steps in to protect her when that trouble threatens her safety. Mission Meet Cute by Karina Collins is a perfect mix of steamy tension, witty banter, and suspense that keeps uncovering secrets right up to the final pages.


If you enjoy a strong FMC paired with a stoic hunk who isn't afraid to lose a game of pool, plus a fake dating arrangement, motorcycles, found family vibes, and a lovable boxer, add Mission Meet Cute to your TBR right away!

[Claudia, Cmarie927 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another entertaining read from this creative author!

Riley has found herself in a dangerous position. Her unhinged ex is not moving on from their break up, and she turns to Hunter, an ex-SEAL hiding as a matchmaker, for help.

While she isn't a delicate woman (she's a mechanic), her black cat sass and attitude will only work for so long. Hunter can't help falling for Riley, even though they are supposed to be fake dating!

This has suspense, touch her and die vibes, forced proximity and I enjoyed seeing how things resolved for them.

I recommend this book, this author, and her catalog of work.

My ARC came from Hambright and the author, and I voluntarily leave my review.

[Tiffani Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so fun! Riley is strong, independent, been handed a rough life and made something for herself. Plus she has a funny dog so who wouldn't love that? Hunter's had a rough go as well, and he's definitely rough around the edges but it works for them! Neither want cute, and it was fun seeing the push and pull between them. What really kept me hooked is the suspense, twist filled sub plot. I think the romance aspect fell a bit flat for me because so much focus went into the suspense part but still very worth it!

[Nat’s Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mission successful. This story was absolutely everything. I loved all of the characters and the suspense was perfect. Riley has such a fire in her and I admire her tenacity. Hunter easily became one of my favorite characters with his sarcasm and banter.

The storyline was phenomenal and I couldn’t get enough of it. Having a protective MMC is always a win for me, but I think I loved having a protective puppy even more. Tank absolutely stole my heart. 🩷

Thank you to Hambright PR and the author for letting me be part of this arc. Please note all reviews are my honest and unbiased opinion.

[Getlitwithashleyz · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Riley is threatened by her dangerous ex, a fake relationship with ex-Navy SEAL Hunter Dawson seems like the only way to protect herself. But as the two work together to uncover what's really going on, they soon discover that Riley might not be the only one in danger!
This book kept me guessing right up until the very end! I loved the opposites attract, fake dating, and forced proximity tropes. The suspense had me turning the pages, and I was completely invested in figuring out what was going to happen next!
If you love romance with a little danger, mystery, and plenty of tension, this one is worth checking out!

[Hannah Shepard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I loved the mystery thrown into a romcom. Hunter is a protective, broody, but secretly soft man and we love that. Riley is a strong independent woman and I absolutely loved how she left everyone know that!

[Kristy Esterly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the action scenes in this book. It was romcom mixed with action and danger so it added a whole new element that separates this story from other romance novels. The main characters relationship was adorable to watch develop into something more