Secret Enemy by Katie Reus is a great fit for readers who crave a thrilling and romantic tale of self-discovery, as it masterfully weaves together themes of loyalty, trust, and redemption, set against a backdrop of danger and suspense.

A book that was well written with good characters fast paced plenty of action and witty dialogue. This book will keep you glued to the pages from the first until the last a very good book.

Really enjoyed this emotionally thrilling, action packed and heart racing adventure. Highly entertaining, sweetly sexy, and engaging journey filled with intriguing charters, witty dialog, heart racing twists and undeniable passion.

Secret Enemy is the sixteenth book in the Red Stone Security series. What I really like about this series is you can pick up any book and be able to follow along without feeling like you are missing something. I have loved every book because the author creates such loveable characters. This book was fast-paced, well written, and had such great characters. And I never miss catching up with the previous characters. Ms. Reus’s books are an auto-read for me. I love the swoon-worthy heroes and the sassy women. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

I haven't read all the Red Stone Security series, but that was not a deterrent in following this one. Lyosha Vasiliev, Viktor Ivanov's head of security brings a stray kitten into an animal shelter and is enchanted with Mila Nowak. They become friends, but fight their attraction, because each thinks the other is "out of their league". Lyosha grew up on the streets as his parents were both drug addicts and he is in love with Mila's family almost as much as he is with her. But he is too much of a coward to risk the heart ache of losing her, so he keeps them in the friend zone, until her life is in danger and his alpha nature takes over. But where is the danger coming from? Engaging characters and plot, make this a page turning read.

I read an ARC provided by NetGalley.com. This is my unbiased and voluntary review.

As always, Katie writes another hit! Couldn't put it down and certainly cannot wait to read the next one. Always, always a good read.

4.5 stars

I loved Secret Enemy by Katie Reus.
From start to end my interest was held and I didn't want to put it down.

Another very entertaining read by the very talented Katie Reus.

*Thank you to the publisher via Netgalley for the advance copy.*

Another great Red Stone Security read! Lyosha really likes and cares about Mila, a woman he has safely friend-zoned for the last six months. Lyosha is now on the good side of the law and works as a security expert, however, he decides to act on his feelings once he realizes that the past he was protecting Mila from, can no longer be hidden or contained. Feelings come to light and truths revealed, as well as past characters make for a great read. Once again, Ms. Reus does not disappoint. I loved it!!! 4 stars

****I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book provided by NetGalley****

Secret Enemy by Katie Reus
Red Stone Security series, book 16. Romantic suspense. Can be read as a stand-alone.

Lyosha has played “friend” to Mila for the last six months. He definitely wants more, but feels she can do better than him. He’s a former bad guy turned good, or rather, now on the right side of the law. He knows he will have to eventually walk away so it’s for the best if they are just friends.
All Mila knows is that she’d like it to go beyond friendship but she won’t push. Until she goes on a date with someone else, then all bets are off.

I was frustrated when the Lyosha and Mila wouldn’t talk to each other. So I was glad when the “shakeup” occurred. You have to speak up to get what you want from life and I cheered when Mila finally does. They still had a lot to work through, including someone stalking Mila, so don’t think that’s a spoiler.
Loved her family! Close knit and so invested in each other’s happiness. Quirkiness and love.

Paula Hockenberry's reviewAug 16, 2021 · edit
it was amazing

A Spectacular Suspense Romance .
I volunteered to read and review an advanced readers copy through NetGalley of Secret Enemy . This is book sixteen in The Red Stone Security Series . Lyosha and Mila met when he came to the animal shelter where she volunteers when not working at Red Stone Security . Lyosha and Mila spend alot of time together but just as friends . Their are both afraid to take their relationship further . Lyosha thinks with his past he doesn't deserve Mila . When Mila is threatened by Lyosha's past
He sweeps in to protect her and stop the threat . Lyosha may lose Mila if he doesn't step out of his comfort zone . As the danger increases . Lyosha must do whatever it takes to keepher safe . This story is full of suspense and intrigue. So intense . I absolutely love this story . I highly recommend taking the time to read .

I am a big fan of Romance books and I found this one to be a very enjoyable read. I will be looking for more books from this author.

When Lyosha Vasiliev brings a stray kitten to the local animal shelter, he meets Mila Nowak. Mila is attracted to him, but is positive that he is way out of her league. Lyosha, an accomplished hacker and head of security for Viktor Ivanov, is captivated by the shy Mila. Believing that he is not good enough for her, he offers her friendship when he wants so much more, as does she. He tries to stay away from her even as their attraction flares out of control. When he believes that his past has put her life in danger, he must protect her and her family. Having her in his home makes him yearn for a time that they could be together, but will she be alarmed by what he has done to survive? A strong and loving alpha man and a woman who will fight for his love. I also enjoyed the “visit” with “family members” from previous Red Stone novels. Ms. Reus brings to life the love and affection shared by Mila, her mother and her sisters as they welcome Lyosha into their world. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

Its been a while since we were with the Red Stone crew. So long, I had forgotten alot of the players and their significance. Also, I'm not sure we should still be calling this Red Stone when there is only tiny threads of connections. We've moved off the the mafia players now.

I liked the dynamic of the mafia leaders. I liked the heroine's family. Typical bonehead hero that gets it together for his woman.

Oh boy!!! Secret Enemy is my new favorite story by Katie Reus. Lyosha is the perfect book boyfriend. I loved how he put himself in the friend zone and then grappled with how he felt for Mila. I was practically biting my nails waiting for these two to finally get together. Of course, there are bad guys, a few intense scenes, and some personal baggage to get past to have a happy ending, but it's so so worth it. I can't wait for the next book.

I have to admit Katie Reus has a formula when it comes to writing her Red Stone Security and some times can feel like you are reading the same story just with a few different changes to the characters.
I found myself pulled into this story knowing how it would end and yet couldn't put the book down. The author created two characters that both had insecurities that readers can relate to when it comes to dating and friendships.
The story still has the normal no we can't have sex than girl or boy moves into the homes of the other to be protected and they have sex and every. Boy or girl hurts the other feelings and they run away needing space. Than bad things happen. Things are good and then a twist happens than giving the characters their HEA.
Yet even knowing that I can't help but read this book and blush at the sweet moments and skip the sexy stuff because after a while a readers just wants to get back to the bad guys.

Thank you to Netgalley adn the publisher for a copy of Katie Reus Secrets Enemy.

SECRET ENEMY is a fast-paced, hold-your-breath, here-it-comes book! Author Katie Reus does bad boys doing good as few other authors can.

Reviewed by Annetta Sweetko for Fresh Fiction

Complete review: https://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=74452

Let me clue you in on a personal secret, folks. I normally love this author's writing. She never fails to give me an alpha good guy hero (even if he has a questionable past or occupation) and a sassy heroine he ultimately has to fight for love to get to keep her. Smexy steam is inevitably thrown in, too. An evil villain causing murder and mayhem seem par for the course, as well as a posse of friends, family, and co-workers who always have their back and help save the day. Staying celibate during spats and separations are greatly appreciated and a common trait of this author's romantic tales, too.

Sound good? Well, it pains me to confess this go around things simply felt out of balance. Too much time was initially spent on Lyosha's constant back and forth mental handwringing and weak excuses to himself and anyone else who would listen why he couldn't and shouldn't make Mila his lady love. This coincided with too much time on Mila's hands with her whining to herself and the world, "Why doesn't he want me like I want him?". Seriously, that bit got old and seemed to go on forever.

The evil villain would often appear out of the blue with a speaking role or action in such a confusing manner I often had to reread to try and figure out what just happened. I found his unsavory actions, behavior, and character in general too over done, btw. Sorry but I did not want up close and personal smex scenes with him in any form.

By 50%, I realized I was just plain bored to boot. Sure, I read on for awhile longer but the smex scenes started to take over too often, and I didn't feel they were scripted well. I can't shake the feeling maybe even this author may be getting a tad tired of writing books for this series.

Here's to hoping others enjoyed it more. It had a great premise, but I don't think the writing delivered the quality of romance I usually experience from this author.

Title: Secret Enemy, Series: Red Stone Security (Book #16), Author: Katie Reus, Pages: 185, stand-alone but part of a series, struggled to keep reading.

(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not rewarded or compensated for this review. There is no relationship or affiliation between this reviewer and the author, publisher, NetGalley, or any PR firm.)

So glad that Red Stone is back! Katie Reus is truly one of my favorite authors and there has not be a single story she has written I didn’t love (except sometimes I want them to be longer), but my favorite by far of the contemporary series is Red Stone and I am so thrilled she has restarted the series. The series picks up with this newest Red Stone employee suddenly finding herself in a bit of danger she never expected and in the arms of the sexy man she met months earlier at the animal shelter she volunteers at. Lyosha knows he should never had insinuated himself into the life of the sweet and innocent Mila, but when he saw her that very first time, there was no going back for him. Their friendship is all he is determined to allow himself, though it is an exercise in torture to be in her presence and not make her his, Mila is just too perfect to leave behind. Mila has been slightly obsessed with Lyosha from the first look, but their friendship means so much more to her than him and she knows she has no chance with the gorgeous man that haunts her fantasies. When she finds her life in danger, Lyosha is the only man she can trust to protect her, but being in his presence all day every day is going to kill her resolve to move on from her desire for him—especially now that he is implying there might be something more between them. Love between them seems truly unlikely, but their draw together is as irresistible as gravity and sooner or later the collision will be explosive, assuming they can stay alive long enough to enjoy it. Lyosha was an intriguing character, one that we met previously, but didn’t realize might get his own story, and that has resisted love for far too long out of fear. He is an engaging, thoughtful man but at the same time can be a serious bad ass when he is protecting those he considers to be his responsibility. I loved seeing the calm and sweet moments he shared with Mila, but the heated battles and passion between them made their relationship just that much spicier. When he finally accepted that there was no way he could let her go or leave her as just a friend, the love between them exploded into something so deep so quickly that it’s obvious it was building a long time despite them both fighting it. Mila was the perfect innocent best friend character, but she was so much more than that too; True, she volunteered at an animal shelter, cared for those around her, and loved her best friend from afar instead of fighting for what she wanted initially, but when push came to shove she stood up for herself and fought for the love she wanted and proved that surface impressions can hide something much deeper if one is just willing to look. I loved seeing her going toe to toe with Lyosha and finding her footing in his wealthy and dangerous world, while maintaining her integrity and sweetness. Fire raged between these two from the very beginning, even if they both banked those fires for months, and when they finally dropped their guards it was a wildfire. I am dying to see what comes next in this series and seeing where Reus takes the lovers. Another masterpiece for Katie!

This is the first I've read from Katie Reus's Red Stone Security series and I will definitely be reading more from this series! Loved Lyosha and Mila together - the story is angsty, steamy, action-packed and suspenseful. I enjoyed the rest of the characters, especially Mila's family. Looking forward to reading more in this series!

This was a very enjoyable and fun trip back into the world of Red Stone Security. I love this series so much. Nice romantic suspense component as always, which Katie Reus seems to be able to give us no matter how long the story is. Great characters and story line as always made this one pack the punch of a full novel.