The Safe Bet

Hidden Truths, Book 1

By: Brittney Sahin

Narrated by: Jason Clarke, Ava Lucas

She's there to plan the military ball - not to fall for the Marine in charge.

Michael Maddox thinks he has his life under control. No attachments, no relationships - he's too busy transforming his knack for military intelligence into a multi-million-dollar enterprise. But when headstrong event planner Kate Adams comes barreling into his life, everything changes.

From the moment she arrives in Charlotte, Kate is tongue-tied by Michael. She's never fallen for a client before, but then she's never had a client like him - sleek, hard, and impenetrable as steel.

While Kate struggles to keep her distance, a stalker sends her tumbling more deeply into Michael's world. The handsome Marine is equipped and willing to protect her, and yet, Kate finds herself more terrified than ever in his care. For as they grow closer, she realizes that Michael has his own secret past. And while he might save her life, he will surely break her heart.

A stand-alone romantic mystery with no cliffhanger and a happily-ever-after.

©2015 Brittney Sahin (P)2021 Brittney Sahin

Intriguing and fast paced

This was a great read. After finishing Brittney Sahin’s Stealth Ops and Hidden Truths series, I decided I’d dive into her backlist for some more reading. The Safe Bet was a fantastic read! I had already met Michael and his sister in the Stealth Ops series, but didn’t know much about his story. We get to see him in full protector operator mode and he is every bit the Alpha I expected him to be.

Michael Maddox’s company is hosting a fundraiser for their veteran’s program and his sister brings on Kate to help plan the event. He’s fired all the previous event organizers but can’t quite bring himself to run off Kate. She intrigues him and their mutual attraction is off the charts, but Kate turns him down for a one night stand. That’s all he’s willing to give and it’s not enough for her. They continue planning the event, despite Michael’s dislike of the idea, and the push and pull between them continues until one night. Michael learns that Kate has been receiving messages from a stalker and everything changes.

This was a steamy, suspenseful romance with intriguing backstories for both characters. Their slow burn romance was complemented by an action filled plot that kept the story moving. Michael is all yummy alpha, just this side of pushy enough that you don’t want to throttle him. We are introduced to some of the other characters whose stories follow The Safe Bet and it made me immediately purchase the rest of the series. If you are a fan of Brittney Sahin or even romantic suspense at all, this is a must read! Jason Clark and Ava Lucas narrated this story to perfection. I loved every minute of their performances.

Intense military romance!

I originally read this story back in 2019. And I really enjoyed it. Now listening to it? It has moved up to one of my favorite military suspenseful romance books. The suspense and angst between Michael and Kate is amazing.

Michael is former military and runs a nonprofit that helps veterans. Kate has been hired by his sister to plan their fundraising gala. While in town, Kate starts getting the feeling she’s being followed. Michael’s protective instincts kick in and he takes Kate under his protection to stop her stalker.

I loved Michael. He’s an alpha and protectiveness is super hot. He’s a tortured soul from serving in the military but Kate is the light to his darkness. Kate is a certified baddie who is strong, smart and caring. This is the first book in Hidden Truths and a wonderful start to the series.

Jason Clarke is the perfect Michael. He did an amazing job bringing him to life. And I loved Ava Lucas as Kate. These two are always great together.

Loved this book!

This story definitely keeps you on your toes! I just couldn’t put it down! Kate and Michael meet under less than ideal circumstances but due to long buried secrets, their journey goes from difficult to almost impossible. Their initial attraction is strong but both must commit to a deeper connection if they are going to survive all the obstacles that land in their path. The support characters are intriguing and the ending was just pure satisfaction! Highly recommend this book and this author!

Exceptional Story

Michael Maddox is no ordinary man.  Complicated, confusing, broody, and yet his generosity to his fellow vets and their lives is immeasurable.  He’s all about giving back.  And his love for his sister is unending.  But his past is a demon he can’t outrun.  But when he meets the stunning event planner, Kate Adams, that his sister hired for his upcoming charity ball, he’s left with feelings he can’t manage. Their attraction is evident but he can’t chance it.  She deserves more.  But when Kate finds herself with a stalker and her painful past close behind, the warrior and protector in Micheal comes out.  He’ll protect Kate with his life. 

Clarke and Lucas do an amazing job narrating.  Lucas reveals the heartbreak of Kate’s past and the hurt of loving a man not available.  Clarke delivers the haunted Maddox with precision.  They transition with characters so effortlessly. 

Amazing Audiobook!

suspense and romance

Take an ex-marine turned billionaire who doesn't do relationships. An event coordinator planning a fundraiser for vets who doesn't do one-night stands. Add in a stalker, some twists, and Jason Clarke's voice and you get a great Romantic Suspense audio!

This is lighter in the suspense than this author's Stealth Ops series so a great listen when you want something less technical.

Jason Clarke has always had a hot voice but he really shines in this format where there are multiple male characters, he is excellent at making them all unique. Such a pro. (But warning, he doesn't have a lot of chapters in the first half but then equal in the second half of the book)

Michael Freaking Maddox

This book is one of the first I ever read of Brittney’s books and I fell in love with the over protective men in the series. Protective former military man and event planner tangled together in her past she’s not even aware of. But find love in the middle of it all. The narrators are amazing and give you exactly what you need. If you like romantic military Mysteries that keep you guessing with twist and turns this book is perfect for you. 100 star love love love!!

Michael and Kate

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for romance, suspense, intriguing characters and a great storyline. Brittney will keep you on the edge of your seat till the end!

Great story line

Great suspense and narration. Definitely like this author and plan to read more of her books.

Female narrator was bad.

I love the story but the female narrator wasn’t god. No emotion in her voice. Jason Clarke was god as always.

Perfect Together

This story definitely gives you the heat of an inferno, but with a slow burn that devours you every step of the way. Michael and Kate are spectacular together, but they are even more so when they are fighting their mutual attraction. The audiobook enhances the flames to envelope you right along with them. Loved it!