The Wife Assignment

Rogue Protectors #5

by Victoria Paige

On the brink of divorce, he’d play dirty for a second chance.

Levi James is a complicated man.
A teddy bear to his girls.
A bossy lover in the bedroom.
And an elite bodyguard to the stars.
So when another man tries to get between him and his estranged wife,
complicated doesn’t even begin to cut it.

Kelly James doesn’t want complicated.
Proving she can move on from her soon-to-be-ex-husband seems like a brilliant idea.
Until someone close to her goes missing, and the police tag Levi as suspect number one.
When her mafia relations come into question, complicated becomes deadly.

* A standalone, marriage-in-trouble romance with HEA. Mature audience only, 18+.

Genres: Second Chance, Romance, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Dark Romance, Suspense

356 pages, Paperback

First published September 16, 2022

About the author

Victoria Paige writes smart, edgy, seductive romance.

Her heroes are badass alpha males and her smart, strong-willed heroines can hold their own against a bossy hero. Her books are sexually explicit and may contain dark themes, morally ambiguous choices, and disturbing situations as she injects realism into her stories and gives them her own twist.

Victoria lives in Richmond, Virginia with her husband and playful German Shepherd Dog, Loki.


Find her at:

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Twitter: @vpaigebooks

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Reviews

[Jamie]

Separated is not the same as being divorced, especially when you’re still having sex with your HUSBAND. Therefore, going on a date with another man and kissing him, saying that the kiss was “nice” and you felt a “tingle” is cheating. Point blank period end of discussion.
I wouldn’t put up with that from a hero, and I won’t put up with it from a heroine.

[Intel Chicky Reads Romance (Kara Merideth) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4.5)
Trope: marriage in trouble, heroine in peril
Angst: 😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥

The Wife Assignment is a super fast paced and suspenseful story that will leave you with all the feels. Kelly has felt like Levi has checked out of their marriage for years and has been unwilling to get help so she felt like she had no alternative to move out with their girls. Levi has been in denial that his marriage was over, until the point when Kelly went on a date. With another man. THAT was enough to jar him to action. Too bad for Levi, the other man ends up missing.

I really liked this story! To tell the truth, I'm not a huge fan of marriage in peril tropes because I really dislike if the reason they're having difficulties is because of drama caused by other people. There was none of that here. The relationship difficulties were realistic based on their history and so was the fall out with their children and the resulting difficulties they were having. There's a ton of action and suspense going on that is peripherally relevant to their relationship issues and it kept the book moving really well. I loved the characters and found them and their troubles to be super relatable. Levi is a very believable SEAL turned merc. A jealous/possessive, protector-type who will do anything for the people he loves and it tortures him when he can't protect them. Kelly is tired of living her life in limbo half in the relationship with her soon to be ex and half out. She's successful in her field and isn't anyone's pushover. The chemistry between them is super hot and definitely lit my kindle up. I can't wait to read more of Ms. Paige's books and I'm really hoping for a Luca book!

The Wife Protector is the 5th book in the Rogue Protector series by Victoria Paige and can be read as a standalone. It is told in first person, from dual perspective.

⛔️ My bookshelves can sometimes contain spoilers

[Hey Lin]

I enjoyed this......in the beginning 🤷it starts off with the H out of pocket due to his merc job, missing his daughters bday. Hes avoiding his family due to the death His wifes brother and his best friend.

He comes back 18 months later to find Her friend tom and her on a date 😂 and I'm surprised that people are calling this a cheating book but I guess when you GeT down to the nitty gritty, she and her husband still effed during these 18 monthss that they're separated and married. But she kissed tom and felt "tingles" 😂😂😂 that word choice had me 😬 a little 😂

Anyhoo....that beginning angsty part about a marriage in trouble was great and then grandma had to shoot a intruder in the house coming to kill the fam and there's mafia family relations dropping by during a bbq and a doggie puppy, kidnappings that ended fine and I thought that was the end but I was still at like 60% 😂😂 and then theres so many side characters like gabby and kenslo? Her mom who isn't her mom and.....bah. I did. Appreciate the twist with the brother in drag 😂

I'm kinda like Michael Scott when he needs Oscar to explain the budget like he's 5. And I understand I have a lemonade stand but I don't know all the ingredients foe the lemonade yet ya heard me?

Anyhoo....I'm gonna guess that their marriage is fixed and they live happily ever after. But I was a bit lost 🙈

[Debbie DiFiore · Rating 1 out of 5]

Good but..

So much going on. And the characters were all a blur. there were so many. All of them were great guys, and their wives were awesome too, but it was confusing. The intimate scenes were tacky to me. It was a little over the top and just not romantic to me. But he did love her and I could feel that chemistry. I liked that part. Its just when they got into the bedroom it got raunchy. I think less is more but that's just me. The mafia and the kidnappings, the sex trafficking of minors, drugs and deaths were all crazy. But I enjoyed that part. Especially when good conquers evil. And I would love to meet any of those good guys. I liked their camaraderie and their love for each other. it was so touching. I love this author anyway and I will continue to read this series. I will just skim over this bedroom scenes and just enjoy the story.

[Jenn the Readaholic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ohhhh boy. Levi and Kelly are done. Or are they? Because it sure seems that someone just showed at her dinner date and proceeded to lay the hurt on said date while making moves to win his wife back. And since they’ve still been….let’s say together….exclusively since that fateful moment and aren’t moving forward, maybe back is the way to move to make things right. Of course, they have to figure out what’s going on, who wants which people dead or at least gone, and how to deal with guilt and anger and the immense relief when all the secrets come out. Easy peasy, right?

I’ve loved this whole series, but Levi and Kelly may be my favorites. Or my latest favorites. Because he’s not letting his wife go, no matter what. He’s even been working on fixing his own cracks while trying to figure out how to win Kelly back for good. And Kelly’s only on a date because someone let his anger get away with his mouth and she called his bluff. These two are so utterly funny and real to someone who’s been through thick and thin with a husband that I had to adore them. Even when Levi’s a cantankerous brute. Or when Kelly refuses to listen (yeah, I cheer every time she does that). Or when unexpected help arrives and truths come into the light. This whole story is a rollercoaster that doesn’t let us forget the love Levi and Kelly still have for each other, or how they need to remember to work together to fix things. Everything.

Find a good spot. Crack open this book. And get ready to feel so much more than you’re expecting with Levi, Kelly, her family, and their crazy friends. Just hold on and enjoy the ride.

[Melluvsbooks]

There’s nothing really wrong with this book. The writing is solid, the characters are good… it just concentrates on the wrong stuff for me. I wanted all the angst and smexxy hate sex that happens BEFORE this book starts. I’m at 30% and it feels like the book should be wrapping up. The couple has reconciled after he saves her from a traumatic experience. I love you’s have been exchanged… but there still nearly 70% of book left. It will be them settling back into their marriage and more danger stuff. So not really for me. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[WhiskeyandReading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yesterday while scrolling through reels I came across this book and its author. I have never read her till now and I'm trying to figure out why. This book was amazing. At 30% action happened and I was hooked. Then with the intense chemistry between the FMC and MMC, I knew I needed more. This couple was a chef's kiss. Levi is the perfect book boyfriend. He even growled ladies. His determination was even better. Kelly was amazing she put her kids and her first I completely fell in love with her. Her grandparents were the family you wish to have. This book is worth reading. This book is a standalone but is in a series. I did not read the others. Also, there is a family tree for Kelly that you will probably have to go back and look at. I can't wait to dive into more of this author's books.

[Bex_Book_Revieux · Rating 5 out of 5]

“So which aspect are you more worried about? That Tom is missing or your husband could be charged with his murder. That is … if they could find his body—”

Victoria Paige's The Wife Assignment reminded me exactly how much I love Military and Mafia novels; give me a mashup of the two, and I am in Romance Heaven!!

Levi and Kelly James have been split up for a while, while Levi worked on his issues regarding Kelly's brothers death and his relationship with their children. It turns out their solution to dealing with the anger they feel towards each other is to have as much incredibly HOT, LEWD hate sex as they can, maybe trying to work each other out of their systems or maybe trying to hold onto each other by their fingernails??

When Levi shows back up in town just in time to interrupt Kelly's friendly date with Tom Roth he might have lost his temper just a little bit, and caused enough of a stir that when Tom goes missing Levi is the first one they come looking for.

The rest of the book is a wild ride of car chases and blackjack games, and creating masks to chase down the men guilty of betraying their country and killing their friends, while trying to figure out if Kelly's Mafia family was involved in helping them. It was so good, I was breathless when the antagonists were revealed!!

This was my first book by Ms. Paige, and I loved it so much I started at the beginning of the series right after I finished last night with The Ex Assignment. This cast of characters is AMAZING, and I can't WAIT to read the rest of her backstock!! I give The Wife Assignment a 5 out of 5 and I'd give it more if I could!!

CW: Sex Trafficking of adults and minors on and off the page, Language used by villains that is abusive toward Latinx characters.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now this is a book I can sink my teeth into. No simpering females that can't take of thereselves. The men and women in this book are exceptional. I love the edge of your seat reading and the suspense of everything that is going on, especially the story behind Levi and and his wife. Oh and the secrets at the end and new life. HEA.

[Lu Bielefeld]

DNF 31%

[Sandy S · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25stars-- THE WIFE ASSIGNMENT is the fifth instalment in Victoria Paige’s contemporary, adult ROGUE PROTECTORS erotic, romantic suspense series focusing on a group of former and current US Navy SEALs, CIA operatives, and law enforcement. This is US Navy SEAL Levi and designer/Hollywood make up artist Kelly James’ storyline. THE WIFE ASSIGNMENT can be read as a stand alone but for back story and cohesion, I recommend reading the series in order for back story and cohesion. There is a slight cross-over with the author’s DE LUCCI’S OBSESSION.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Levi and Kelly) THE WIFE ASSIGNMENT follows the collapsing relationship and marriage of Levi and Kelly James. Approximately five years earlier, Levi lost a friend and Kelly’s brother Callum in an overseas operation that went all to h*ll. In the interim, Levi struggled with the guilt, leaving his wife and children behind. When Levi finally returned home, Kelly pushed for a divorce, and eighteen months would pass as Levi worked to make himself a better man but someone was waiting in the wings, and Levi saw red when his best friend took aim at the woman he loved. A missing person’s report would pull in Levi’s former US Navy SEALs team, a report that would see the Russian Bratva and the Italian Mob taking aim at our story line couple. What ensues is the rebuilding relationship between Kelly and Levi, and the fall-out as the dead and missing resurface, forcing a confrontation between the powers at the top of the criminal underworld.

The relationship between Levi and Kelly is one of second chances; a rekindling romance in which Kelly battled between head and heart with the years of abandonment and rejection by the man that she loved. A high sexual rekindling, Levi and Kelly would both struggle with ghosts from the past, ghosts that refused to remain buried and gone. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and passionate but I dislike the use of a certain four-letter word in my romance story lines.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters including most of the previous story line couples, as well as Kelly’s adopted parents, brothers and sisters; Kelly’s birth mother and step-brother, as well as Kelly and Levi’s daughters Ashley and Whitney. The requisite evil has many faces.

THE WIFE ASSIGNMENT is a story of secrets and lies, grief and loss, retribution and retaliation, power and control, acceptance, forgiveness and love. The premise is detailed, complex and involved-I had not read any of the previous story lines and felt a little lost with the mention of characters and events; the characters are numerous, determined and charismatic; the romance is provocative and intense.

www.thereadingcafe.com

[Amelyn Randall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thrilling action and gripping suspense alongside a touching family tale!

That's right, this book has everything. Good guys in the form of former Navy SEALs, bad guys in the form of the Russian Mafia, and a realistic family drama with an over-the-top jealous and possessive husband (but she likes it like that LOL).

This is the fifth book in the series. I have not read the others, but I didn't really feel I was missing anything. I could sort of tell which characters had already had their own happily-ever-afters. I'll definitely be going back to read the other books to see what happened before, since I enjoyed this book so much. I've read several books by this author in the past, so I knew this book would stand alone regardless and have a HEA. I could tell the author really cared about the accuracy of representing the various government agencies she discussed and using certain words. I always feel smarter after reading one of her books.

If you love Mary Burton books but with maybe a little more steam, this author is for you!

[LaTonja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Levi was not going to let his wife, Kelly, go without a fight. Kelly stood by Levi while he was a Navy Seal, but once he was out, and now working privately....it looks like Kelly wanted more for her daughters and for herself.

Things get complicated when Kelly's "friend" goes missing, Levi is prime suspect #1, and the only way to get this solve is for both to work together.

I loved the connection between Levi and Kelly from the beginning. Get ready for a sexy, alpha, possessive, sarcastic Levi, ready to get his wife back at all means necessary. And get ready for Kelly's stong attitude and self-awareness of when being around her "soon to be ex".

As a reader, you are in for a hell of a ride. So much suspense, mystery, love, laughs, and just a great story. Get ready for a great read. I was kept on my toes the entire time I read the book.

[Sloth Incarnate 🍉]

I came for a “she sent him the divorce papers” and instead got a “time to see whether our marriage is salvageable”

No. The second I’d hear him in a bar of all things canceling his plan on coming to see his daughter, and then not even being sorry for it, I’d make sure his ass gets the divorce papers, and not just the threat of one.

[Vfc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kelly is frustrated with Levi’s dismissal of her concerns for Ashley, neglecting to show up for her birthday. Five years earlier, they’d lost Callum (Kelly’s brother and his friend) in an overseas operation that went tragically wrong. Rather than supporting each other through the loss, Levi had distanced himself. Struggling with survivor’s remorse, he mentally and physically withdrew, accepting dangerous missions. When he finally returned home, Kelly asked him to move out, eighteen months would pass as Levi worked to make himself a better man.

Levi James has no plans to relinquish his wife or retire his marriage. He’s made tremendous strides to overcome a great deal in his eighteen months and Kelly felt it was time to do the same for herself, ending the cycle of falling into bed with her estranged husband. Fearing she must move on…she accepts a date with Tom (which Levi upstages). This was an exercise in Levi’s arrogance pushing her to prove a point,

The next day following their altercation, Tom fails to show for an important meeting, prompting a wellness check. His house had been ransacked and there were obvious signs of a struggle.
“You’re the obvious, yet unlikely, suspect, because why attack a guy for everyone to see and then turn around and assault him at his home?”

A missing person’s report kindles Levi’s former US Navy SEALs team, Kelly and Alanna are abducted (separately), forcing a confrontation with the criminal underworld of the Russian Bratva and the Italian Mob.

Kelly is taken by an assassin from the Russian oligarchs, she is beaten, strangled and almost being shot (Tom saved her although it could be said her captivity was because of Tom). There’s an intersecting storyline from De Lucci's Obsession.

Kelly is a Mafia Princess, her biological mum Sofia, is part of the Chicago crime family and her father has ties with the New York Family. Kelly’s the granddaughter of the former Rossi crime boss, and the daughter of Sofia Rossi Moretti, the widow of the former head of the Chicago crime family.
“The Rossis only acknowledged me during my aunt’s wedding, I’ve never been anything special. I was never invited to Rossi gatherings. Robert and Madelyn McGrath are—and always will be—my parents, it’s on my birth certificate. I don’t think I merit any attention from the Morettis.”

When Kelly was five she found out that Uncle Charles was her biological father. He wasn’t parenting material. At ten, it was explained that Charles McGrath had been imprisoned when she was born, and her birth mother Sofia Rossi voluntarily relinquished her. Nona Rossi took Sofia to Italy and kept her in isolation until she gave birth. Then they secretly returned and contacted Charles’ older brother Robert and his wife, Madelyn, surrendering all rights to Kelly.

At her Aunt Ava’s wedding, she was presented to an old forbidding-looking man, Giovanni Rossi, her grandfather, boss of the Rossi Crime family at the time. Crime families are about blood and perhaps ‘Murder Sanctum’ thinks because she’s on the periphery, outside of the immediate protection of both families, she’d be an easier target.

Branna, Kelly's grandma previously featured in De Lucci's obsession was a force to be reckoned with as she wields her shotgun at the sight of danger, including putting a huge hole in the wall of their house when breached.

There’s action, suspense and intrigue and having mourned a beloved brother and son five years ago, Callum rises from the ashes. Callum (McG) was usually the cool-headed man on the team, the jokester. But there was no trace of that man. The Aden mission changed them all. Levi recovered a part of himself that had been lost, but for Kelly’s brother, Callum, he was transformed.

Favourites- Levi and Kelly’s cheesecake scene.
A gun-wielding Branna (grandmother).

The rekindling relationship between Levi and Kelly, this controlling alpha SEAL turned merc, an über possessive/jealous/protector, who will do just about anything for those he loves. She’s a worthy adversary.

The story segues into Mafia/government ops where officials arrested were charged with conspiracy to derail a SEAL op and looking the other way while letting Russians do illegal businesses in foreign countries that would fuel war in those nations and Walter Ford’s vendetta against the McGraths.

Kelly and Levi’s relationship became secondary as mafia connections, kidnappings and corruption took the focus.

There is relief that Callum is alive, but anger for the prolonged grief, and the repercussions of his demise. Then the decline of Kelly and Levi’s marriage, specifically Levi’s guilt. Ronan quitting the NYPD and becoming baseless. He and Levi shared the same trajectory except Levi had finally reconciled his guilt. In the end, every one was happy Callum was alive and safe.

They would all willingly relive the events of the lost five years, If they ended with the same results, their family intact…and reunited.

THE WIFE ASSIGNMENT is a tale of secrets and lies, retribution and retaliation, forgiveness and love. I appreciated the lack of infidelity. Some readers claimed being lost, however, even if you haven’t read previous editions, that should not impede your enjoyment of this book or the secondary and tertiary characters such as Bristow and Garrison, Ruger and Scout (dogs) representing a vital role in solving the action, suspense and intrigue.

Christmas one year later. A year ago Levi thought he’d lost his chance with Kelly. Many of them forgot how to live on after the loss of Callum. They eventually moved on. At Thanksgiving dinner, he delivered a speech leading with how hurt he was that they’d all moved on from him. Not true, of course. Callum said he experienced a weirdness about coming back from the dead, and the transition into normal life had been tough. Now they could find humour in it.

Nine months later, Liam Patrick James was born.

This is the 5th book in the Rogue Protector series and can be read independently. A first person, from dual perspective depiction (Kelly and Levi). We revisit with Kelso, Gabby’s partner and Declan from The Ex Assignment, a favourite by Victoria Paige, second only to Fire and Ice.

[VoraciousReader · Rating 1 out of 5]

Levi was a smug a$$hole and Kelly was a spineless doormat.

[Angie]

DNF 52%

Levi James has been a mercenary and former SEAL (along with Kelly’s brother Callum) who would go months without seeing each other. I picked up that Callum died 5 years ago on a mission and Levi wasn’t dealing with it at all. He and Kelly have now been separated for 18 months but he’s doing the work on himself, repairing his absentee relationship with his young daughters, and wants Kelly back. Kelly gets kidnapped and that’s when multiple mafias and players enter the plot with their own backstories. I tried to go with it but there were so many I couldn’t keep it straight. For the most part I liked the characters a lot and feel of the story but grew too frustrated without the multiple backgrounds or context to keep reading.

I’m a bit OCD about reading books in order so I can understand the players and not get distracted. The book’s description was so intriguing and I took a chance starting mid-series. I haven’t read the others but what threw me was not realizing it’s also connected to a new series started a few months ago. I did read that one and have been excited for more since it was setting up their 2nd generation. Since most of those characters weren’t born or were children I felt lost with Kelly’s complicated family tree on top of appearances of characters from previous books in this series. I’m unsure if all the mob families connected to Kelly are in the previous books.


In case I come back to this or the connecting books here’s my notes and poor attempt to get it straight. I started to edit this but it’s so much and all over the place:

Kelly was a 5 y/o child in De Lucci’s Obsession (book 1 about Kelly’s aunt Ava McGrath and Cesar De Lucci), a full length book and prequel of sorts set in 1990s to setting up the McGraths and De Lucci (and Moretti /Rossi) families. Everyone has children now and since those books haven’t been written but characters are now mentioned… I was lost with the rapid fire name drops. Kelly’s adoptive siblings/biological cousins are Callum (SEAL with Kelly’s husband), Ronan, and Alana (PI working for their dad back east). Kelly’s aunt/uncle Robert/Madelyn adopted her while her father Charles was in prison. Charles had an affair with her mother Sofia, a Rossi who later married Chicago’s Emilio Moretti. Luca Moretti is one of Emilio’s sons from one of his other marriages before Sofia, and Kelly’s stepbrother and the current Chicago boss.

Related to Kelly’s kidnapping there’s this backstory of Simon Stepanov/Murder Sanctum Las Vegas mob which a few years ago had falling out with Moretti family and there’s been a retaliation. Additionally, Kelly’s adopted father as an investigator found evidence that put away NY Senator Ford’s son for insider trading and was later killed in prison by Stepanov? Not sure if this has been part of one of the other books?

Related appearances in this book to the previous books in this series:
Former SEAL partner Tom Roth supporting Kelly during her marital problems but his current deal started all this trouble and Kelly’s kidnapping.
Gabbi (book 1) and Kelso are detectives.
Bristow high tech operative kind of guy working with Levi
Mention of rescuing Bristow and their leader Garrison (married to crime analyst Nadia) in Ukraine
Teammate Migs and his wife Ariana (book2)


An advanced reader copy of this book was provided by the author/publisher with no expectations and in no way influences my review.

[Suzana · Rating 5 out of 5]

*ARC kindly provided by the author and I’m leaving an honest review*

5+

★A strong, vulnerable, headstrong heroine who is designer/Hollywood make up artist
★The ultimate alpha Navy SEAL hero who is a burly protector, but is also a teddy bear to his daughters who will stop at nothing to win back the love of his life
★Military / Protector / Elite Bodyguard
★Marriage-in-trouble
★Second chance
★A unique spin on the reluctant mafia princess
★Organized crime drama with a truly scary villain
★Explosive and spicy scenes that leave you breathless
★All the feels, thrills, and explosive romance
★The mystery they are thrown into and the fight for the survival
★Enough emotional baggage to fill a room
★Gripping / gritty / raw / suspenseful
★An edge of your seat page turner / Fast-paced
★Unpredictable twists and turns
★Lots of fun in a way of a witty, sarcastic banter
★Fun cast of supporting – secondary characters that add to the story and development
★Loyalty between team members
★Off – the- charts chemistry
★Intense
★Passionate
★All consuming
★Unique love story

The Wife Assignment is the fifth book in Rogue Protectors series. This book had it all: from fantastic storyline, characters driven plot to danger, romance, suspense all tied up in a marriage-in-trouble and second chances. A captivating story you won't want to put down. The Wife Assignment delivers all the emotions including crying, laughing, swooning, falling in love with Kelly, Levi and their girls while bullets are flying. This is darkish, an edge of your seat masterpiece with all chills and thrills. The Wife Assignment is engrossing, enthralling, engaging, gripping book that will leave you wanting more and on pins and needles.

Levi and Kelly to me are the long awaited couple that I had been falling in love with through each book in this series. Their marriage is in trouble and they are soon to be divorced. Or are they? Levi and Kelly both thought that their marriage is over. All Kelly wanted was to move on and to start living uncomplicated life. Until Levi had a wake up call and one new mission: to win back the love of his life. Levi is so good, so soft with his daughters which shows how much he loves them and gives another insight in his personality. They are effortless and familiar and yet complicated and perplexing. I love that their love story wasn't perfect, that they were going through ups and downs as any married couple which made them more relatable and believable. Separately they are beautiful mess, together they are perfectly imperfect. Levi and Kelly are both stubborn, loyal, relentless and protective of the people they love / care about. I love that they didn’t give up on each other even though the life has thrown them quite obstacles, like Kelly's mafia relations. Their chemistry and tension were everything. The pace of the story and secondary characters added to their romance and plot. In the end they they blossomed, thrived and got their second chance.

A beautiful addition to the already amazing series which keeps getting better and better. Each book can be read as a standalone but you will definitely enjoy getting to know all these characters and their background. Cannot wait for the next book.

[Sue Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of WOW Factor!

This story was one of Ms. Paige’s best! It had all the elements I look for in a great romantic suspense: compelling conflicts, a highly charged romantic relationship, plot twists, alternate points of view from the main couple who both have fascinating jobs, and hot love scenes. You get all of the feels on so many levels along with exciting storylines. I enjoyed seeing previous characters from the series included in the action. The camaraderie, banter, and loyalty of these friends during intense situations or family gatherings made it a fun read.

This story is also a second chance at love for the married couple trying to work things out during a separation. Levi is the intense and ultimate possessive, protective alpha who delivers in the love scenes and the daddy scenes too. He is reluctant at first to seek any help to fix his marriage, but starts to come around when he realizes what he might lose. He never gives up on keeping the love of his life even when he makes mistakes along the way. Kelly has been a strong and passionate woman and mother throughout the thrills and disappointments of married life. Her heart is divided between the addictive chemistry and history she has with her husband and her need to stand strong for the stable family life she and her children deserve.

The couple’s two mischievous girls added a sweet family element that showcased some good parenting skills during difficult situations. Members of both sides of Kelly’s family from the feisty Irish side to the brooding Italian mafia relations add spiciness and fierceness to the characters’ interactions and explain Kelly’s complicated history. Add in Levi’s professional team of private contractors and you have a diverse cast of characters that enrich the story with humor and affection.

Kelly and Levi both allow themselves to become vulnerable and learn to communicate their needs and weaknesses that caused the issues that tore them apart. The danger they experienced from outside forces also helped them realize how important they are to one another and how precious their family unit is. Kelly is one strong heroine, especially when she is suddenly physically threatened in a scary narrative that had me on the edge of my seat. The ups and downs of this couple’s journey to finding happiness gave the reader a really good and satisfying feeling in the end.

I loved this couple’s chemistry and how they came together to understand and work on their marital problems while solving hidden traps by contemptible villains. I appreciate a story that has surprise plot twists like the ones in this book. It was fascinating to see how all the pieces fit together in the end for both the suspense plot and the romance story. As always, I appreciated the heartwarming epilogue that affirmed the couple’s HEA.

I received this book as an ARC for a voluntary review.

[Viper Spaulding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic story!

I'll admit, reading the first four books, I was already halfway in love with Levi. Then reading De Lucci's Obsession and finding out that Ava's niece, Kelly, is the same Kelly that's married to Levi? Boom! I knew I *had* to read this book!

So the story starts with Kelly and Levi at the lowest point of their marriage. A tragedy struck the family, and their ways of dealing with it - especially Levi's - was slowly but surely destroying their marriage. Finally, after a very long separation, Kelly is reading to move on and that has Levi seeing red.

Fair warning - if you don't like growly, possessive, overprotective men, then you're not going to like Levi. He respects the hell out of Kelly, but he still knows she's not as well-trained as he is at keeping people safe. So when she turns up missing right after one of their friends is also determined to be missing, he pulls out all the stops and simply doesn't take no for an answer. From anyone. He's going to be her hero come hell or high water.

This complex high-intensity suspense thriller is going to take you places you never imagined. Just when Levi and Kelly seem to have worked things out regarding the years-ago tragedy, they find out the truth about that day and it shakes everything up all over again. There are more than two sides in this mob war - lots of double-crossing and questionable loyalties, even with family. We've got the Russian mob going against the Vegas mob which is going against the Chicago mob and at least a couple of them are on Kelly's side - or maybe not? The story keeps you guessing right up until the final showdown, and I loved every bit of it.

Even with all the background action, the focus is always on the relationship between Kelly and Levi. This isn't an action-suspense story with a romance on the side. The romance is at least 3/4 of the book, even when in the midst of all the action. The author truly knows how to make her characters connect with each other - not just in the romance but throughout all the various family relationships.

We also get to catch up with a few of the couples and other familiar characters from the earlier books. If you've ever wondered what could bring John to his knees, you'll get your answers towards the end of this book. It was exquisite! I loved the way they all work together, and I really hope the author is planning to write Kelso's book at some point.

Levi and Kelly have the most beautiful HEA, jumping just far enough ahead to cement their future together. I love reading these stories, and highly recommend them to anyone who loves contemporary romantic suspense. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let's face it, most (if not all) of us enjoy claiming the heroes in the books we read as our very own "book-boyfriends". We swoon, fall in love with them and think they are absolutely perfect. But if ever there was a perfect hero, it would be Levi James in this here book! BECAUSE the truth is, Levi is imperfectly perfect - he has his faults, yet he owns them & works hard to be that perfect man (even if he has to play a little dirty to prove it). 😏

I love how even though this book has a slightly different feel to it than other books in this series (seeing that the H is a "family-man"), it in no way lacked any of the action, steam, emotion & even humor I have enjoyed in the previous books. And just as I was thinking things are going to slow down, the author ramps it up with a "bed breaking" scene or a plot twist that I definitely did not see coming! 🤯 Almost the only expected thing was a feisty, strong heroine (Kelly) and the oh so JP hero (Levi).

Overall The Wife Assignment is a great mixture of intrigue, suspense, all manner of crazy family drama, awesome pets that had me both smiling & choking back a tear, shmexxy scenes to test even the sturdiest of furniture 🥵🥵 and a JP hero who refuses to understand the words "it's over".


Written from a dual pov, it is medium to-fast burn, no cheating / OW drama (a wee bit of OM drama 😅), contemporary / action-packed romance and can be read as a standalone with a HEA. (That been said, reading the previous books does make the secondary characters more enjoyable.) I received an ARC Copy of this book and this is my straight-up, honest review.

[Tracy Quoka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy Cow what a ride. I totally didn't see half of the plot coming! Levi and Kelly James have made appearances in the first 4 Rouge Protector books. Kelly is also a periphery character in De Lucci's Obsession, which was set in 1995 making that a fun book, can I say Pay phone conversations :) I understand why Ms. Paige set De Lucci's Obsession back in time, as it ties into this novel and Easter Eggs are dropped regarding Kelly's adult personality.
This book can absolutely be read as a stand alone. I mean you need to read the rest of the series because Ms. Paige has some total Alpha Kick a$$ heroes. From other books in the series we know that Levi and Kelly have been struggling with their marriage, we just don't know why. Was it infidelity, was it his job, did they just grow apart? I hate spoilers, so I won't give much detail, but it was related to Levi's last mission with the SEALs and how neither of them dealt with the fall out of said mission.
Kelly is kidnapped by an assassin from the Russian oligarchs, and that abduction is just the tip of the iceberg. Here's were De Lucci's Obsession does come in to play as Kelly's technically a Mafia Princess, her biological mom is of a Chicago family. Her dad has ties with a New York Family, but we also learned the whole dynamics of the McGraths her dad's family. I may have liked Branna, Kelly's grandma when I "met" her in De Lucci's obsession. I totally love her and Mamma Bear attitude that involved a shot gun and a huge hole in her wall... Want to find out more about that, read the book :)
I received this book as an ARC for an honest and voluntary review.

[Marty Sandvik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Levi and Kelly are separated but have yet to move on from each other. When Kelly takes the first step and goes on a date Levi crashes it. He insists that she give him a second chance and she is determined not to until she is kidnapped and realizes how much he still means to her. Now Levi must protect her and their two daughters while repairing the relationships he has with them that broke after he brother and his best friend Callum died during a SEAL op. Levi will stop at nothing to find the person responsible for hurting his family but things become complicated when Kelly's family history is the reason they are after her and things become much more personal. Add to that the fact that Callum ends up being alive and involved Levi and Kelly must rely on their connection and love for each other.
Levi was always the side character in the previous books so learning more about him and his family was great. I was glad that both he and Kelly still loved each other but just needed to repair what was broken between them. I also love the appearances of Bristow and the other guys and I can't wait to read Bristow finding his woman. I had forgotten that Kelly was tied to the DeLucci's and the Moretti's so reading more about that made things less confusing. Also Blaize was one creepy guy and I was glad that he will no longer be a problem.

[maggieandteddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read the previous 4 books in this series. but you can read this as a standalone.
Levi gets a very rude awakening. He's losing his wife that he loves.
I love this trope. A couple fighting for their marriage -especially Levi. Oh yes, he has to grovel !
Neither is blameless. I love the suspense, which threatens to pull them further apart. And then just maybe back together.
Kelly is another Victoria Paige kickasss heroine. Levi is a hero that is brave and doesn't hesitate to save his part of the world.
This is 1st person POV. I've been trying out new authors the last couple of years.
I think that this book can be a great starting point.
4.5 stars! One of my favorites!

[Gwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 2.5/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tropes: second chance, military, possessive

Saw it on my TikTok. It was okay. Story follows a married couple where the FMC (wife) leaves her husband (MMC) because he’s angry after a tour and inattentive. The FMC leaves him when their own daughter doesn’t want to be alone with him. They separate and husband tries to get her back and protect her against organized crime threats.

Honestly, it was way too long and the story got boring after the first half.

[Jo West · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Victoria Paige at her brilliant best! I have loved all of the Rogue Protectors series but Levi and Kelly's book is exceptionally well written, with a fabulous storyline wonderfully entertaining characters,and a steam factor that's off the charts! Forget stars The Wife Assignment gets 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me start off by saying that, to me, it was cheating when Kelly went on a date with another man and kissed him. BECAUSE she was still married to a Levi even though they were separated. Yeah, Levi non chalantly gave her his blessing in a manly “yeah I like to see you try” type of way but Kelly was a stubborn woman and wanted to prove to Levi that she can totally go find another man. That didn’t work out for her when he flew from another damn country to sabotage her date lol and I’m glad he did!

Besides that, I really liked Kelly’s character. She had to deal with a lot, feeling like a single parent because Levi was always gone because of his job. But I loved that Levi fought hard for his family, he needed a wake up call to get his ass in gear to make things right for their kids and to fight for his marriage.

Such a good book, the surprise they all got close to the end made me cry happy tears.

[Nidhi Bhatt · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF - heroine was weak (if they have BBS in the first two chapters it’s a good indication the bendy spine will just get worse), and I don’t like OM drama that is based on a character the MCs should expect loyalty from. Plus h using Tom (OM) just put me off a bit because it felt like she was using him, and Tom should also have more self respect.

Anyways between all of that, I realized the story isn’t for me.

[kale · Rating 3 out of 5]

Do I find every book boring because I want to read about a lesbian revenge mission who is later nicked name the Seattle slayer because she did in fact kill half of Seattle or is every book I’ve been reading just boring. We’ll never know

[Fairuz ᥫ᭡.]

Dnf at 30%.

I just couldn't get into it