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Wild Obsession #2

Desert Target

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They hired me to kill the queen of the underworld. But when I track my target into the desert, she’s… a hairdresser?

I need to get out of this life. But first, I need money, so I take one last job--a hit on the notorious Viper.

The Viper is evil. Unhinged. She’s killed hundreds of innocents. But when I track her to the desert, she’s… on vacation?

This isn’t the Viper. It’s some poor gorgeous doppelganger who floors me with a single blink of her doe eyes.

But I’m not the only one with a case of mistaken identity. And the desert is a dangerous place.

I hope the hairdresser likes big, brutal hitmen. Because I’m her ticket to survive.

Desert Target is a short and steamy instalove story with an OTT possessive alpha hero and the innocent heroine who’s stumbled into disaster.

71 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 30, 2021

70 people are currently reading
196 people want to read

About the author

Cassie Mint

152 books1,415 followers
Cassie writes outrageous, OTT insta-love with tons of sugar and steam. She loves cookie dough, summer barbecues, and her gorgeous cat Missy.

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5 stars
135 (25%)
4 stars
161 (30%)
3 stars
176 (32%)
2 stars
50 (9%)
1 star
13 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
Profile Image for *˚Remnant Light ‧͙⁺˚*・༓☾ .
349 reviews478 followers
March 8, 2023
**2.7/5 stars**

Leif is a hitman who's been given his last target before he retires. The target is the queen of the underworld called 'The Viper', who's been sighted in Morocco. He travels there quickly and finds her after a few days, roaming the desert with a group of people. When he's about to strike, he realizes that the target is actually a look-alike of 'The Viper'. Her name is Hannah and she's a hairdresser on vacations, and she is innocent. Knowing how much in danger she is from being out in the open like this, Leif decides to help her and protect her.

I thought the synopsis was interesting, there was some action that I don't often see in Cassie Mint's novellas. The thing is, the story didn't really have time to breathe. Everything was a little bit rushed and underdeveloped. The pacing, most of all, was the issue. I feel like it's a story that should've had more pages. I always find that a 24h love story isn't believable and everything that happens between those hours, from action to drama, is unrealistic. I liked the concept but I felt the shortage of pages.

Leif was intriguing. I liked his cold and grumpy demeanor, how serious he was. When he received Hannah's picture, he instantly felt attracted to her, but he had a job to do. We sadly don't get to know him much. His whole personality revolved around being a hitman.

Even though it cracks my chest open, chafes my heart raw, she can fear me. I’ll still protect her. Now that I’ve touched her, tasted her, she’s mine. Mine.-Leif


As for Hannah, she was a jovial little sunshine on vacations. She was feminine and naive. I mean, when she was about to get killed, she literally thought it was a play, an activity setup by the tourism agency she was with. Very unrealistic but I thought it was cute and fun, and it definitely took Leif off guard. I didn't really mind it. My only issue with her was how quickly she gave her trust to a man she'd never met before. I wish she'd been more on the edge, skeptical.

I’m starting to think I’ll never be safe without Leif. Without him… my heart might break.-Hannah

Please, chill. You've met him a few hours ago. 😅


They had a decent chemistry overall but I didn't really buy their instant attraction to each other. It's sad that everything happened within 24h. We just don't have time to take their story seriously. By the time you warmed up to them, it's already over. The ideas were good but the fast pacing was the real enemy here.

✔️HEA
✔️Novella
✔️Dual POV
✔️Enemies to lovers
✔️Age gap
✔️Grumpy/Protective H
✔️Sunshine/Virgin h
✔️No OW/OM
✔️No cheating
✔️Safe
🔥 Steam level: 2/5
Content warning

Would I recommend this novella? Is it the best novella out here? Definitely not. But I think it does have an appeal. It had some enjoyable and fun moments.

**Note that I do not rate novellas and full-length books by the same standards**

Wild Obsession Series
(Series Rating: ⭐⭐.6 /5)
1. Ocean Jewel 2. Mountain Captive -
3. Desert Target** - 4. Arctic Star
Profile Image for Lolina ⋆ .
1,181 reviews271 followers
October 23, 2022
This one probably had to be one of my favorites so far from CM- I felt like this story had a lot more to it in terms of characters and storyline- it was a lot of fun.
Profile Image for Milica.
1,135 reviews14 followers
April 3, 2021
This is 6th book I've read by this author, and in all her previous books, heroes' pasts were never mentioned and that's how I prefer it (except if he's a virgin). So, I was surprised when the hero here said something about the women he's slept with, especially when at the beginning he said that he didn't know what his type was. He was obsessed with heroine as soon as he saw her picture, but still..
If she has to be a virgin, why can't he also be? And if he's been with other women before, why can't she be with other men? I'm really tired of this thing where girl has to be a virgin, no matter how old she is, and guy has to have at least some experience.
Profile Image for Granger McGringot.
1,440 reviews223 followers
August 18, 2021
Our hairdresser h was mistaken as a professional arms dealer with a huge bounty for her head. Luckily our H found her first and decided to protect her instead.

For an action romance, the action was bout 5% of the book. Granted it was a short book and the story was more heavy on the steams. The romance also was on the speed with few courting and get-to-know-each-other moment. An okay one sitting book for me though.

Virgin h, celibate H
No condoms
OTT instalove
No cheating, No OW/OM
No drama/angst
Dual PoV, 1st person
Safe read, HEA, epilogue
Overall score: 3 instalove stars
Profile Image for Alison.
1,510 reviews111 followers
August 9, 2023
The Viper.

A solid four star read for me. The story of mistaken identity was interesting but the best part for me was Leif’s internal dialogue. I liked how he thought about Hannah and the back and forth with himself. Definitely the best part for me.
Profile Image for Mint.
151 reviews21 followers
June 9, 2022
I really enjoy how Mint's plots are always so creative and this novella is no exception: an assassin falls in love with his 'target', who turns out to be a doppelgänger for the real target.

The attraction between Cassie and Leif is definitely instant as advertised in the blurb, but the attraction is still fairly believable given the context of the story. I especially liked the juxtaposition between Cassie and Leif and how different they are as people and POVs.

If you're looking for action or suspense, actual action scenes only make up a very small portion of the novella but I'd say that the entire novella definitely hints to it given the plot of the novel. The violence itself isn't super descriptive but the novella is steamy.

Overall, I've enjoyed reading Mint's novellas and I'd definitely read more from her in the future!

For more of my reviews, please visit my blog.
11.9k reviews49 followers
December 3, 2021
Mistaken identity at it's worst.....or is that best/b>

Desert Target is the second book in the Wild Obsession series and finds Leif and Hannah getting hotter than the Moroccan desert. Leif is a hitman who is hired to eliminate Viper, a vicious woman who heads a criminal organization. Hannah is a hairdresser who is on holiday in Morocco on a trip she had dreamed about taking. Hannah is staying in a tent in the Sahara desert when one night she is kidnapped by a man. In a case of mistaken identity Leif has grabbed a woman who is definitely not a Viper in any sense of the word. But now that he has Hannah he will need to keep her to make sure nothing happens to her. Their passion ignites and burns hotter than the sun.
9,206 reviews67 followers
March 28, 2021
Leif just needs one more hit and hell be out of that life for good, but taking on a hit for the queen of the underworld known as the Viper shouldn't be to much trouble. Hannah's on a trip of life time to the Sahara but its about to turn into something more when she meets Leif. A case of mistaken identity leads Leif to turn from killer to protector for if he was sent on Hannahs mistaken trail others will have too, and hes grown quite attached to his little captive. this is well written short insta romance with lots of desert heat!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Emily Pennington.
20.9k reviews369 followers
March 31, 2021
Mistaken Identity . . .

For his last job, the hitman Leif is hired to eliminate the evil Viper, the vicious female head of a crime syndicate who has killed many innocent people. Instead of the Viper, he captures Hannah, a hairdresser who looks like the criminal he is after. Hannah is sweet, and he has to now keep her safe from others who will make the same mistake he did. And while he is protecting her, perhaps he can claim her as his own?

This is a very unusual romance, but clever and cute. The characters are likeable and their chemistry is sizzling! Grab your copy and enjoy their story.
6,168 reviews57 followers
April 1, 2021
Hannah is a hairdresser on a trip of a lifetime. She's in Morocco in the sahara desert when a man grabs her from her tent as she leaves for a bathroom break. Leif is a hitman sent to eliminate "Viper" whose reputation is clearly deadly. But Hannah has been mistaken as Viper and now Leif is left to keep her from getting killed. Not that he doesn't like having her in his arms and he finds that Hannah likes his arms also. The relationship starts out strange but the steam just keep building. I love the ending. He finally makes makes her is in every way. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for alorah rodriguez.
66 reviews5 followers
May 19, 2024
what did i just finish at 4am.... this book was good and all but the thing that upset me the most was when hannah and leif just got done having sex and he took her back to the airport without saying goodbye to her. but im glad he was able to win her back after what they went through together. the spicy levels in this was immaculate and i can't get over the abandoned place scene. i wanna know more about hannah's pregnancy journey to see if leif stayed by her side through out it, what gender they having, etc. it broke me to be on a cliff hanger since i'm hunger for more.
3,250 reviews26 followers
March 30, 2021
I absolutely loved Desert Target by Cassie Mint. Leif is a hitman ready for his last job before retirement. His last assignment is to eliminate The Viper, queen of the underworld. But the woman he tracks to Morocco is actually the Viper's doppelgänger. And after spending time alone with her he is determined not only to protect Hannah the hairdresser but to claim her as his own! Definitely addicted to these books!
Profile Image for Alex Silver.
638 reviews18 followers
September 17, 2023
3.2/5
Hannah was a little annoying. Like, relentlessly optimistic and fearless in the face of unbelievable threat and danger. And why the fuck did she bring her set of professional hair straighteners to Morocco?

I liked Leif. Coulda done without him just straight killing someone (granted they tried to kill Hannah but still).


Pinning. He lets her go then chases her down. No grovel. No cheating. No breakup.
Pregnant in epilogue.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
6,577 reviews35 followers
March 31, 2021
An enjoyable instalove mistaken identity romance! It is well-written, fast pace, funny, emotionally deep, and hot with drama, suspense, danger, and more! The characters are likeable; the chemistry between them is instant and undeniable! Definitely recommended!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Eliza.
698 reviews6 followers
March 31, 2021
This was a great read that had me eager to see what was going to happen next. The chemistry was fantastic and explosive between the characters. The plot was great. I loved it. Looking forward to reading more by this author.

I give this a five out of five stars.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
4,415 reviews11 followers
March 31, 2021
A case of mistaken identity will get Hannah in a world of trouble when hit man Leif is after her. Intriguing storyline with OTT characters of Hannah talking a mile a minute and Leif stoic with grunts for answering. Chemistry between these characters will have you dreaming of sultry desert nights.

I am voluntarily leaving a review for this book that I received free.
377 reviews4 followers
April 19, 2021
😍

Leif and Hannah were adorable. Hannah reminded me a lot of a MINK heroine, and yes, that's a very good thing. I haven't seen many authors be able to truly pull off the quirky, adorkable, naive but not tstl heroine. Cassie Mint did just that with Hannah. They always seem the most perfect for the enormous growly dangerous hero's, and that is who Leif is. Great story with a hea😍
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
2,468 reviews31 followers
April 18, 2022
Hanna and Leif

Leif is an assassin on his last mark. But there is something about her that stirs something inside him. And then he gets it. She is the one for him. The problem? She is the routing image of an arms dealer responsible for thousands of death and an army of assassins after her. He will do anything and everything to keep his woman safe. Highly recommended
Profile Image for Marissa Swint.
29 reviews
April 12, 2023
It's so funny that when I first read the synopsis of this novella I thought to myself, "nah I don't think I'd like this story. Not my taste." I am so glad I read it! It was even better than the last book in this series! As far as I'm concerned, Cassie Mint is the queen of spicy, insta-love novellas!
Profile Image for crystal.
181 reviews
March 30, 2021
Omg

Can I please have more Cassie Mint??? Or on her arc team ;) This book was amazing and I absolutely adored Leif and Hannah together. Had just the right amount of angst and of course a perfect HEA.
2,978 reviews10 followers
June 22, 2021
Adventure

Hannah never expected her adventure to turn into a failed assassination. What she is excited about is Leif, her would be assassin who makes her feel safe. Who knew she would meet the mean of her dreams in a botched plot.
Profile Image for RachelReadsandSings.
1,386 reviews449 followers
September 2, 2021
Another great romance novella with just a hint of suspense thrown in! This series is so fun. I love the way Leif and Hannah meet, with him attempting to kill her and she’s like “ooooh is this a fun roleplay thing, like they do at Renaissance fairs?” 🤣
446 reviews5 followers
August 14, 2022
Target

Another fun and sexy story from Cassie. I love her writing. Leif is big, hot and protective. Hannah is cute and fun, they make a perfect couple. There is adventure witch hotness thrown in, a quick, fun and enjoyable read!💖💖💖💖
Profile Image for Naomi.
552 reviews
December 8, 2022
Really good

I loved this! A proper hero saving a princess kinda story. But in a way where the hero is sexy and a little dangerous and the heroine is bright and fun. So different to the first book of this series. This was a joy to read!
Profile Image for Ali's  In Literature .
892 reviews23 followers
February 6, 2024
A cute idea

I loved the beginning of this assassin/mark instalove, and the mistaken identity was adorably hilarious. But the resolution could have been addressed better. Cute though
Profile Image for Alana Sanchez.
560 reviews
June 12, 2024
I rate this 2.5 it was a quick fast and fun read I enjoyed the story overall as well as the characters for the most part there was small bits in the story I didn’t love it was insta lovey which I didn’t love but it’s alright I was expecting it so it didn’t bother me to much
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Katy Mathews.
273 reviews1 follower
November 14, 2024
Leif and Hannah

Loved this! Great characters and storyline, couldn’t put it down! Plenty of adventure and danger and excitement. And all the feels expected when reading a Cassie Mint instalove romance.
Profile Image for Kanani .
1,401 reviews
March 30, 2021
This was such a silly, sweet breath of fresh air! The storyline was adorable. The characters were so lovable. He's a hitman sent to kill a monster, only he finds a godess instead. I love it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews