The Hunted One by Brittney Sahin

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Will this growly protector break her book-loving heart . . . or become her second chance at love?

Savanna Vasquez lost her Navy SEAL husband years ago to terrorists, and she doesn’t think she’s capable of falling in love again. So, she busies herself by running her café and buries her face in the pages of fiction for a romantic escape.

But when her late husband’s brother finds his way into her life, bringing a world of danger with him, Savanna is protected by a group of tough former Army guys. She feels like she’s inside one of her favorite novels, but she’s not so sure if her happily-ever-after will be guaranteed, especially when she finds herself alone with one of the dangerously handsome Delta operators.

After twenty years of serving his country in the Army, Griffin Andrews now works for an elite security team. When he’s sent on a mission to protect a friend of the firm, he never expects to meet a woman who will bring his dead heart back to life. 

In Griffin’s eyes, Savanna’s still married, even if only in her heart—which means she’s off-limits. Forget the fact she’s also his assignment. With her being hunted by an unknown number of threats, he needs to focus on her safety and not the way she feels in his arms.

Griffin’s resolve begins to slip the more time they spend together and his self-control snaps. The unexplainable connection between them has them both wondering if maybe they were brought together for another reason.

And as Griffin does everything in his power to save Savanna, he discovers there’s a chance she just might save him too.

The Hunted One

Widow, Warrior, and the Weight of Memory

The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💚💜💙❤️
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏🌍
Character development: 😋🙂☺️😘🥰
Narrator(s): 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration type: Dual Narration

🦸🏼‍♀️ Heroine: Savanna

Savanna is a grieving widow who runs a cozy café and bakery in a small town outside Birmingham. Her husband Marcus, a former special ops soldier, was brutally executed by terrorists on live television — a trauma she can’t unsee, no matter how hard she tries. His body was never recovered, leaving her with a grief that’s raw and unresolved. Her circle includes Marcus’s former teammates, including Jesse, her best friend and protector. When danger resurfaces and Jesse’s team is called overseas, they hire Falcon Falls Security to keep her safe.

🦸🏻‍♂️ Hero: Griffin

Griffin, a retired special forces operative, now works for Falcon Falls Security — a newly formed team of elite veterans operating out of a bunker in the Poconos. The group is still learning to trust each other, but when a Navy SEAL friend calls in a favor, Griffin heads to Alabama to protect Savanna. He’s stoic, battle-hardened, and carrying emotional baggage of his own — especially when it comes to commitment.

🔥 Plot Snapshot

Savanna’s attraction to Griffin catches her off guard — it’s the first flicker of desire she’s felt since Marcus died. Their chemistry simmers, even as danger escalates. After another attack, Griffin whisks her away to a safe house, where the tension between them builds in isolation. Their forced proximity becomes a crucible for healing, vulnerability, and slow-burning romance.

❤️‍🔥 What Hit Home

• The action-packed suspense and alpha military energy hit all the right beats. The supporting cast of retired operatives added depth and camaraderie.
• Griffin’s emotional walls — shaped by a painful past with his mother — made his arc compelling.
• The political intrigue and layered threats against Savanna kept the suspense taut and unpredictable.
• Savanna’s love of books was a beautiful touch. Her reflection on falling in love with Rome through The Da Vinci Code was relatable and poignant — I had the same experience learning about the city through those pages.

🤨 Room to Grow

• The suitcase of money under Savanna’s bed felt like a dangling thread. It’s mentioned often, but the explanation comes late and feels underdeveloped.
• The pacing dragged in places — I found myself waiting for the next twist or emotional beat.
• Savanna’s fixation on Marcus sometimes overshadowed her present. Her grief was valid, but it made Griffin’s fear of heartbreak feel inevitable.

🎧 Narration Vibes

Dual POV narration by Tyler Johnson and Ava Lucas. Tyler’s voice is pitch-perfect for a romantic hero — deep, textured, and versatile across characters. Ava Lucas brings a sultry warmth to Savanna’s chapters, though her male voices didn’t quite land for me. Still, the emotional delivery was strong, and the narration enhanced the intimacy of the story.

📝 Final Thoughts

This story blends grief, grit, and guarded hearts into a romantic suspense that’s both emotionally raw and action-packed. Savanna’s journey from widowhood to rediscovery is messy and real — her vulnerability never undermines her strength. Griffin, with his quiet intensity and emotional scars, makes for a compelling protector whose growth feels earned.

While the pacing occasionally falters and some plot threads (like the suitcase) could’ve been tightened, the emotional stakes and character dynamics kept me invested. The supporting cast of military operatives adds texture and camaraderie, hinting at future stories I’d gladly follow.

If you’re drawn to heroines who fight through grief, heroes who learn to trust, and suspense that simmers alongside romance, this one delivers — especially in audio, where the dual narration adds intimacy and tension.

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