This was an interesting listen. I really enjoyed the setting. This was a great suspense read with some romance added in. Recommend.

Thank you to Net Galley for the audio copy in exchange for my honest feedback.

I listened to the audio and the narration was fantastic! I was hooked from the beginning, I didn't want to put it down!

I received an ARC through Netgalley and all opinions are my own.

Lily is running the mountain with K-9 Timber on the anniversary of her fiancé Matt's murder and Timber's being shot and retired. She stumbles on a dead body and instinct has her calling Travis who used to be Matt's partner. Surprised by the call, he comes and runs interference with the police community despite having walked away from it after the shooting. As if finding a dead body isn't enough, Lily finds her cabin on fire when she heads home. Travis, Lily and Timber try to figure out who is after her and why. The action and suspense are through out the story and pushes Lily and Travis to find the friendship and love they once had in high school. I listened to the audio and wish the narrator has just a tad more emotional depth to her voices, but overall she did a great job making all the voices different. The story did a good job on the balance between faith and being preachy. I enjoyed the book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I had the pleasure of listening to this audiobook thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio. It was an exciting tale of a second chance love. I never saw the twist what an unexpected surprise but then again I usually don’t see the twists coming.

Lily Peterson finds a dead body in the woods then she is attacked by an unknown person only to be rescued by her retired police K-9, Timber. Timber steals the show I truly love it when animals are part of the story it always adds depth to it for me.

Lily calls someone whom she trusts, that person being her late fiancé's former partner and former officer, Travis Beckett.

But it’s not just the dead body she has to worry about her house then goes up in flame, now she knows someone wants her dead, but who? In the midst of finding a killer, she is falling for Travis again. They used to date before she was engaged and now this might be their second chance. Can she have the man and find out who wants to kill her?

Great narration as well I felt as though the narrator gave us her all and it showed in the audio.

First — the setting. I am so enamoured with stories set in Alaska particularly when it’s a romantic suspense. And the opening scene with Lily stumbling upon a dead body in the middle of nowhere. Phew! Cue the ominous organ music and buckle up for a rocky ride to her happily every after! Really loved the pacing — the way the author builds up the tension but includes enough breathing space for the relationship between Lily and Travis to grow.

So — second chance romance trope written with just the right amount of angst and redemption. Loved the way these two communicate, even when it comes to the hard to hear stuff. And the rich emotional layers in both their back stories add extra depth to an already riveting read.

Then there’s Timber – retired K-9 officer who hasn’t forgotten any of her training and is still all about serving and protecting. Love me a good fur-buddy bodyguard!

The suspense grabbed my attention from the very first scene and I found the mystery so compelling. I could feel my anxiety levels rise as I tried (along with Travis and Lily) to figure out why Lily seemed to be a target and then I got to an ‘aha’ moment waaaay before they did and I was on the edge of my seat waiting for them to catch up with me…or prove me wrong. Absolutely love how engaged I was with these characters and their story.

I enjoyed listening to the audio edition narrated by Dominique Dibbell. Her performance matched the tension and action of the story and enhanced my ‘reading’ pleasure that much more. Such a blessing to have so many of the Love Inspired books being made available in audio format now.

My thanks to Harlequin Audio and Net Galley for providing me with an audio copy of this book.

This story jumps right into the action when Lily Peterson discovers a dead body while on a trail run. This was disturbing enough, but when she realizes this event is on the anniversary of her fiancé's death, and she finds a note at the site with her own address written on it, she is truly shaken. Reluctantly contacting her high school sweetheart and previous partner of her fiancé for help, things become even more complicated. This is an enjoyable, satisfying, mystery with all the feels!

I loved how natural the pace felt even as danger poured in at the beginning. I fell in love with the German Shepard Timber and loved the huge roll she played in this book. Even as a retired companion, her training kept Lilly safe and helped solve the case. Though I'm not usually a huge fan of an ex-finace coming back, the author did an amazing job of gapping that bridge and bringing Travis back into the picture.
I was hooked throughout the story and enjoyed the plot twist at the end.
The narrator did a great job.

Hallmark Mysteries meets Cozy Mysteries in one, is a great way to describe any Love Inspired Suspense reads. K-9 Defense stays true to this statement. Not "paying attention" that this was part of a series and #14 to boot - it works as a stand alone. and I didn't feel like I was missing bits of information because of that.

The book starts out with the main female lead, Lilly and her dog, a former K-9 dog, discovering a dead body on the mountain top and from there on, someone is watching her and trying to take her out.

If you are a fan of cozy mysteries or Hallmark style movies - this read will not disappoint, You get a good, clean romance with suspense sprinkled in.

K-9 Alaskan Defense is a very well written romantic suspense. I throughly enjoyed the edge of your seat plot and the Alaskan setting. Good narrator. I definitely recommend.

K-9 Alaskan Defense series #14 by Sarah Varland. This is my first book I have listened to by her. The narrator, Dominique Dibbell, did a fantastic job with the narration. I honestly didn’t know that this was a series but definitely can be read as a standalone. I will go back and read the others.
Lily Peterson was on a run with her retired police dog Timber that she received after he was injured in the line of duty and his handler, her finance, Matt was killed. Timber leads her to a dead body and someone tries to throw her off the cliff. She calls his ex partner and her ex boyfriend for help. Can they try to find who wants her dead? Will they rekindle their romance? This is a Christian suspense, second chances clean romance.
I was given this arc audio by #NetGalley, #Harlequin Audio and the Author. This is my honest review!

This story is suspenseful and a heartfelt reminder of God’s faithfulness through unfulfilled dreams, second chances, and life’s toughest battles.

Lily’s path of letting go and trusting God’s plan felt real—her struggles mirrored the quiet battles we all face when we're unsure of where we're headed. Her strength grew from trusting Him for who He is. Paired with Travis’s courage and Timber’s fierce loyalty, this trio showcased a beautiful metaphor for God’s protective care and the power of redemption.

The tension kept me glued to the story, but it was the bond between Lily and Travis, along with the quiet strength of faith, that had me listening. As they faced their past and found their way back to each other, I was reminded that God remains unchanging, patiently waiting for us to come to Him.

The narration was spot on—each character’s emotions, the suspense, and the depth of faith came through perfectly. It brought the story to life in a way that made it all the more impactful.

This story is a vivid portrayal of grace, second chances, and unwavering hope.

I received a digital ARC of this audiobook from the publisher and NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review nor paid to do so. This is my honest and unbiased review. My thoughts and opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on the writing and story’s content, ensuring transparency and reliability.

I received and Arc from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

Love Inspired Suspense with a 2nd Chance Romance intertwined. The suspense and storyline were on point and had a very unexpected ending. 3.75 stars

Audiobook rating-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Narrated very well and easy to listen to.

This audiobook is a clean, Christian, suspense story. Though part of a series, if like me, you have not read and/or listened to the previous ones, rest assure it’s a stand alone.
Lily Peterson’s cop boyfriend was killed a few months ago. Not wanting to let go of his retired K-9 dog, Timber, she rescued the dog and now he’s hers.
Taking a walk through the woods she not only encounters an attacker, but also a body. Frightened after surviving the attacker, she calls the only person she trusts, her boyfriend’s former partner and once upon a time her ex, Travis Beckett.
Still cautious of this tentative relationship, Travis is determined to keep her safe, especially after Lily’s cabin is set on fire.
Who is after her and why? Could it be related to the last case Matt was working on?
If they stay alive long enough to discover the culprit, is there a chance that they can have a second chance at love?
This action packed story will keep you wondering not only what will happen next , but also who is the criminal?
Mixed into it all , is the reminder that God is always there for us. We just need to trust Him, ourselves and others.
I was entrusted a copy of this audiobook by Netgalley and Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense.
The opinions expressed are solely my own.

This is a Second Chance Romantic Suspense, and this is the 14th book in the K-9 Search and Rescue series. I have read some of the other books in this series before picking up this book. I do think you can read this book as a standalone without any problems. I listened to the audiobook for this book, and I really enjoyed the audiobook. This book was full of drama and action/suspense. I really loved the characters in this book, and the dog was my favorite. There were some really cute moments in this book as well. Wow...the twist in this book was so great and I really did not see it coming. Great Read. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.

Lily Peterson is on a run with her dog, Timber, when they stumble across a dead body. Lily is alone if not for Timber, as she lost her fiancé, Matt, a year ago. Timber was Matt’s K-9 partner and was injured when Matt lost his life. While Lily is prepared to make a call to report her finding, she is attacked by a man in the woods. That is when she makes the quick decision to call Travis Beckett, Matt’s former partner.

Travis, having left the police force, promptly answers Lily’s call. Upon meeting, they both realize that the body’s discovery holds significant implications for the events of the previous year. Lily and Travis had dated in high school, and their reunion quickly rekindles their lingering feelings for each other. However, their attention is diverted to investigating the past to uncover the truth behind Lily and Timber’s findings.

As they delve deeper, Lily grapples with unanswered questions. She wonders if she’s emotionally safe or a danger now that she’s reconnected with Travis. This second chance romance for Lily and Travis forms part of a well-crafted story that balances suspense and reliance on faith. This book is perfect for a quick, one-sitting read. The audiobook version of this book was truly captivating, thanks to its excellent narration.

Many thanks to Love Inspired Suspense and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.