They’re a fake couple… To solve a real mystery.

As heir to her Aunt Greta’s vineyard, Samantha Wagner, a take-charge executive, is sure she has the smarts to run Wagner Wines. She just hadn’t counted on former Texas Ranger Dean Carter investigating her aunt’s death as suspicious.

Though both prefer to operate solo, the designer-clad business pro and the sexy loner cowboy pose as a couple to probe a possible murder.

But as sabotage mounts and secrets emerge, Carter and Samantha try to resist emotional entanglement.

Will the former ranger abandon his mission to protect Samantha from the killer’s sight?

Titles in The Shadow Rangers series include:  Undercover Sabotage ~

This story may contain language, violence, and/or sexual situations intended for an adult 18+ audience.

Title:  Undercover Sabotage
Series:  The Shadow Rangers #1
Author:  Kacy Cross
Published: May 26, 2026
Publisher:  Harlequin Romantic Suspense
My Rating:  4.5 stars

Undercover Sabotage begins The Shadow Rangers series with an intense situation for Samantha, who has inherited her aunt’s vineyard and plans to run Wagner Wines, even as she learns how on the spot, only to discover that Dean, a former Texas Ranger, is investigating her aunt’s death.  Sam’s aunt wasn’t the nicest lady around, and it’s becoming obvious that she had some enemies, but the accidents around the vineyard are increasing.  Pairing up with Dean in a fake dating relationship seems to be the only way to stay safe while finding answers to the mystery surrounding her aunt’s death.  

I enjoyed Undercover Sabotage, and it’s an excellent introduction to the series.  On the surface, Samantha and Dean are completely in the opposites attract category, yet they’ll find more in common than that first glance might have suggested.  I liked watching them work through those early impressions to find the real people beneath the surface.  Their story is well-written, emotional, as well as a bit sweet and steamy (yes, with high sexual tensions you can have both).  I found them believable, while the situation they were in kept me on edge.  It felt like a very good set-up for the rest of the series.  If that sounds like your kind of Romantic Suspense, then you’d love this one.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley, and I sincerely thank the author or publishing house for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

This title is available at Amazon