Kenley Bates uses her hacking skills to infiltrate the dark web to get justice for victims of corporate injustice in Katie Mettner’s Dark Web Investigation. But when she uncovers a global security threat, she needs help. Ex-military, cyber security investigator Jude Mason answers her call seeking help in place of her best friend, who’s on honeymoon, becoming her ally in protecting and saving the world. Together, they work to break the code created by an adversary who is set on global destruction as they are caught in a deadly game of cat and mouse. Can they trust each other despite their past hurts and give in to their intense attraction and deepening feelings?

Kenley’s life mission becomes getting justice for others, giving victims and those hurt by corporate wrongdoing a voice, and fighting for those in need, after losing her best friend and becoming an amputee in an ATV accident. An expert hacker and talented coder, she works for corporations by day—sometimes for the government—then sleuths on the same corporations at night under the hacker alias 51 C K L3 to discover any wrongdoing, especially corporate negligence resulting in medical harm. But her primary goal is finding information to prove that the corporation that manufactured the ATVs she and her friend were driving the day her friend was killed and she lost her leg is responsible for the accident. A petite, biracial Afro-Latina, Kenley lives a solitary life and doesn’t date to avoid entanglements because she fears bringing someone into her life and the danger she gets herself into. Kind and fiercely independent, she doesn’t need to be saved because of her determination, strength, fortitude and having to rely on herself for most of her life.

Jude works as a digital personal investigator with Secure Watch’s cyber division. Like Kenley, he too leads a solitary life, but he yearns for the touch of another. However, he’s learned that caring for others makes you vulnerable. Burdened by trauma from his years in the military, he’s determined, skilled, intelligent, and protective. The military has given Jude the skills to defend, protect, and fight for Kenley’s and his life, which comes in handy when they must stay alive, break the code, and defeat a deadly adversary that is out to get Kenley and endanger the world. Insightful, kind, and gentle, he feels an instant attraction to Kenley when he first sees her and a moment of connection when their hands touch.

I love Mettner’s writing. It flows from scene to scene, getting you so caught up in her story, characters, and action that you don’t want to stop reading until the novel’s over. Her vibrant writing is down-to-earth, descriptive and active, with colorful dialogue and effective world-building that draw you into the scenes with the characters. She gets right into the action and doesn’t waste words. Mettner’s action scenes are thrilling and well-constructed and along with her suspense keep you on the edge of your seat trying to guess what’s going to happen and/or who the villain is, and how the hero/heroine and their team are going to take them down. I love how she develops her characters by having them talk with and learn things about one another and by having them interact in ways that fit with and evolve their characters. Jude and Kenley are snarky with each other throughout their relationship. I love their banter, connection, chemistry and how deeply drawn they are to one another. It’s sexy, sweet, electric, and deeply emotional at its core, as are their love scenes.

Mettner explores leg amputation disability with nuance and care. She goes into detail about the physicality of the amputation itself and Kenley’s care needs and routine, but also the emotional toll it’s taken on her. How Mettner uses it to draw Kenley and Jude closer physically and emotionally is well done. Kenley’s disability doesn’t affect how Jude sees or treats her aside from having consideration for her needs and respect for her choices and personhood considering their situation. I love that!

I love how Mettner’s novels explore social issues and having main characters with different disabilities explored within the context of the romantic relationship. This book has an interesting and balanced exploration of vigilantism. Mettner also gets the reader thinking about the scary potential consequences and wide-ranging impacts of AI and machine learning.

I’m always excited to read Mettner’s novels because they always give me something to think about along with a fun, suspenseful, action-packed, sexy, emotional, fast-paced, romantic read that is like watching the best criminal investigation, crime drama, mystery/thriller movie, or TV show. Dark Web Investigation doesn't disappoint. I highly recommend it for romantic suspense, interracial romance, age gap, disabled heroines, hacking, cybersecurity, ex-military heroes, and social justice warrior fans.

4.5 stars

HARLEQUIN - Romance provided an advanced review copy via Netgalley for review.

This is a Romantic Suspense, and this is the first book in the Secure Watch series. This is a fast paced book with a lot of suspense. I loved how I enjoyed reading this book. I did like how Jude puts Kenley first all the time. I liked getting Kenley's backstory, and her backstory touched my heart. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.

I’ve been loving Katie’s books in Secure 1 series and this book is a great kick off her new series - Secure Watch. They can be read as stand alone but some of the characters do cross over. When you read Katie’s books you will be educated on different disabilities people face everyday. She writes amazing suspense stories with a touch of romance.

Kenley and Jude come together to try to solve a dark web threat. They end up being a great team, putting their knowledge and skills together while trying to escape the threat.

I love the strength, determination and teamwork between these two. They help one another face their fears, open up to each other and have an amazing HEA.

This book is fast paced, filled with amazing details and the suspense aspect will keep you guessing. There is a bit of humor thrown in too.
“Are you saying you’re not looking for a fast fling with a one-legged woman while in the run? I can’t decide is I should be hurt or angry!”

Highly recommend!!

Dark Web Investigation by Katie Mettner was a thrilling, wild ride in the dark side of the web. I enjoyed the non-stop action and the romance between Judd and Kenley both heated up to a thrilling pitch leading up to a great ending. I am new to this series and am looking forward to reading more.

Dark Web Investigations is an exciting romantic suspense novel. It is an inclusive romance with a main female character, Kenley, who lost her leg and best friend in an accident. She is a hacker who may be in trouble online. She calls a friend for help, but gets Jude from Secure Watch, and they end up on the run. This is a romantic adventure. This has great characters with interesting backstories. I look forward to continuing this series.

What could be more frightening then a cyber attack that affects the whole world? I don't know but I enjoyed reading about how this team of cybersecurity experts work to solve one problem after another. The characters were interesting and the story was intriguing.

Dark Web Investigation begins the Secure Watch series (a spinoff of the Secure One series) with Kenley’s and Jude’s fast-paced romance. You don’t need to have read the Secure One series to enjoy Secure Watch… but it was (is) an amazing series that I would definitely recommend. We’ll run into some familiar faces from that earlier series, but no worries if you haven’t read it yet, the explanations of who is who can be found in either the dialogue or the narrative. I happen to love being able to return to a world I enjoyed through a spinoff series, and Dark Web Investigation did not disappoint one little bit (maybe I loved it even a bit more).

After an accident in a defective ATV where Kenley’s friend lost her life, and Kenley lost a foot to amputation, she’s made it her life’s passion to ensure that the same doesn’t happen to anyone else by holding companies accountable. Her research takes her to the dark web, where this time she’s uncovered something monumental and reached out to a friend/colleague for advice. Only the person who answered her cell was Jude, who’d had her friend’s phone while she was on her honeymoon. He’ll immediately step into action, and thus begins a race against time where the enemy always seems to be one step ahead of them, and more deadly than they suspected.

I loved Dark Web Investigation by Katie Mettner. The intensity of this story takes off from the first page and rarely lets up until the final page. Both Kenley and Jude are people I’d want on my side during any fight, as they are relentless in bringing down this nasty piece of work. I also admired the portrayal of Kenley. As the daughter of a double amputee mother and the mother of a disabled son, it will always capture my attention and admiration when any disability is presented honestly in fiction (that’s not always the case). A disability of any kind does not stop anyone from finding love and a fulfilling life, and Dark Web Investigation shows that quite clearly, which I appreciate.

If you love a well-written, intense romantic suspense, with believable characters, and situations that could easily be ripped from the national headlines, then Dark Web Investigation by Katie Mettner is a perfect fit for you.

*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.*

The concept of this book was fantastic and I really enjoyed it! The way Kenley trained herself to be a hacker so that she could be a sort of Robin Hood for her clients. Getting justice and penance for those wronged. Then she stumbles into a type of game with another elite hacker.

The benefit of said game, it led her to Jude. He helps Kenley try to stop a potential global terrorist attack(which is the “game” that the hacker starts with Kenley). While on the run and trying to stay one step ahead of who is chasing them, these two fall in love!

The way that Jude takes care of Kenley, from making sure she is ok mentally and physically, and how he doesn’t care about her prosthetic foot. Plus how he wants to take care of her and help her with the blisters on where her prosthetic goes.

The way that Kenley lets Jude in, how they both realizes that what they were feeling was more than just list filled attraction, was special to see it click for both of them.

The only thing, I feel like the ending and trying to close up the story was slightly rushed… I would have liked more details on the take down and plans that Jude and Kenley were making for their future.

I am a sucker for a nickname and from the first moment he called her sweet pea, ugh I was a goner for Jude!
🕸️Forced Proximity
🖤Black Hat Hacker FMC
🕸️Age Gap
🖤He Falls First
🕸️The way he takes care of her
🖤He works for a type of Agency

I loved the Secure One series so I had no doubt that I would also love Secure Watch. It was action packed from the first chapter! I loved how Jude and Kenley met and he didn’t hesitate to rush to her aid.

I know nothing about the dark web (I know the bare minimum about the regular web lol) but learning about the spiderwebs was very interesting.

I love how the Secure One team is always so welcoming to outside strangers before they’ve ever met them, and then when they do meet them they instantly become a part of their family. I love watching their found family grow and am looking forward to the next book.

Thank you Katie, NetGalley and Harlequin for an ARC of this book

I confess, I pulled my feet up after 2 pages in. The issues happening in cyber world gave me the willies to make it worse, it's all plausible with the way things are progressing in the world today. I don't do spoilers, or I would call it out. Jude and Kenley are awesome as they learn about each other while dealing with this cyber issue Kenley rooted out. They both need to practice communication beforehand, not after. The HEA was top notch. Thank you for the advance copy. I freely share my honest thoughts and opinions. #DarkWebInvestigations #Secu#KatieMettner #HarlequinIntrigue #NetGalley

Yet another wonderfully written book from Katie Mettner! Could not put this down!
Kenny is punishing herself for the death of her friend. She’s spent her life trying to prove the manufacturer was at fault for this death as well as many others. She uses the dark web to gather her information. While working for on this project one night she mistypes the website and finds a site that leads to a website with spider webs. They lead to security cameras.

She is freaked out by what she found. She knows her friend Delilah will be able to help her. Unfortunately, Delilah is on her honeymoon. Instead of her friend, she gets Jude. Jude is covering for Delilah while she is away.

Jude assures Kenny he can help her. He rushes to were she is to get her. He quickly finds they are being tailed. They loose the tail. Then go to his place to hide out. Only Kenly spots the tail vehicle outside Jude’s house. They decide to go on foot. Kenley is a partial amputee as a result of the accident that killed her friend. She struggles to walk
Long distances. Jude is worried that she picked up a tracked somewhere. He thinks that is how they were able to find his place so quickly. Sure enough he finds one in her prosethesis. He smashes it and the set off on foot. They are able to get away from the tail and get to a town where he can call Secure Watch and talk to Mina who is Abel to get them help.

Kenly and Jude must figure out who is behind this spiderweb. So they can stop him/her from taking over more cameras all over the world. They are in stave for time. The hacker seems to be one step ahead of them! How is that happening? Will they be able to stop this spiderweb? This is another must read !! You won’t be disappointed!!

Kenley Bates is a regular worker by day and a gifted hacker by night. She spends her spare time helping others less fortunate to try and fight the big guy and bring them resolution who otherwise would never get the chance or evidence to do so. She also tries to find evidence against a manufacturer that still produces ATV's that have a bad record like the one that caused her friend's death and the loss of her foot. Late one night while doing her usual trolling on the dark web she stumbles upon a website that is different than the others she has been in before. Something sinister that she knows could have an impact on a global scale. Unsure of herself and what she might have discovered she calls an old, trusted friend Delilah who doesn't answer her phone. A guy named Jude Mason who is covering for Delilah takes the call. He is a cybersecurity expert who is also a new employee of Secure Watch. Together they are on the hunt for the bad actor of the dark web who is now after her for knowing too much. Will Jude be able to help keep Kenley safe? Will they be able to find their way to each other?
Katie Mettner grips you from the very first page. The characters that she creates come to life on the page and you feel like you are right along with them on their journey. This book can be read as a standalone but was nice for those of us who have been following along from the previous Secure Watch series. I highly recommend this book and all her others. They have romance, intrigue and heart. Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin for the arc of this wonderful book.

This book was awesome from the first page! This is book 1 in the Secure Watch Series a spinoff from Secure One Series.

Kenley had an accident when she was a teen that killed her best friend and left her an amputee. Now she dives into the dark web to help others who have been victims like her. Now she has come across something that can pit the whole world in Danger.

Jude is ex militarily and now works for Secure Watch. He is holding onto a coworkers phone while she on her honeymoon when he receives a call for help from Kenley.

Kenley and Jude embark on a race against time to solve the program "Spider" before it ends up in the wrong hands. They both feel an instant connection, but both have vowed they are better off alone.

If you like suspense, danger, and romance thus is the book for you. There is no slow burn more of a instalove.

Thank you NetGally and Harlequin Intrigue for allowing me to read this book! I would definitely recommend to friends!

Dark Web Investigation by Katie Mettner is the debut of the Secure Watch series which is a spin-off of the author’s Secure One series. While characters from the Secure One series appear in this book, Dark Web Investigation can be read as a standalone. I thought the characters were developed and likeable. Kenley and Jude need to trust each other if they are to survive the bad guys after Kenley. There is palpable chemistry between the pair. There are some intimate scenes, but they are not described in detail (implied instead of described). I did feel, though, that the romance developed rather quickly. I liked that they let themselves be vulnerable with each other. I was happy that the romance did not overshadow the other aspects of the story. It was interesting to learn about the Dark Web (you can tell that the author did her research). Kenley and Jude had their work cut out for them if they were to stay one step ahead of a dangerous hacker. I was a smidgeon disappointed with the ATV company resolution (I wanted a better one). I enjoyed Dark Web Investigation and I am looking forward to reading the next book in the Secure Watch series. Dark Web Investigation is an intriguing tale with righting wrongs, Dark Web dealings, dangerous spiders, an essential call, staying a step ahead, a sore prosthesis, and transformations afoot.

Kenley has been seeking justice for others for years and sometimes utilizes the dark web to get information. Then one night, she gets some disturbing messages and reaches out to a friend for help. Instead, Jude answers as Delilah is on her honeymoon. He's a protector through and through, and doesn't hesitate to jump in to help Kenley. There's plenty of suspense and danger as they try to determine who is after Kenley, how they knew where to find her, and how to stay a step ahead of that person. Or is it AI?

I don't feel fully qualified to review this book: I don't often read romantic suspense, so I'm not sure how this compares to other books in the subgenre. I read it because I found the summary intriguing. I liked the characters, especially the disability rep for the FMC, who's an amputee. I was a little confused by some of the plot, but then, so were the characters. Mettner is a good writer who kept the story zipping along, but it just didn't work for me. Again, this isn't my subgenre, so this definitely could be more of a Me Problem than not.

This book is the first in the new Secure Watch series, which is a spin-off of the author's Secure One series. Although some of the supporting characters in the book carry over from the original series, you can start with this book without reading any from that series.

One of the main characters is Kenley Bates who isn't afraid to access sites on the dark web to help those in need. She feels she owes it to help as many victims as she can because of a tragedy in her past. The other main character is Jude Mason, a cybersecurity expert and new employee off Secure Watch. Kenley reaches out for help after accidentally accessing a dangerous website and Jude is there to take the call. Their adventures to shut down a skilled hacker put them in the crosshairs of a very dangerous person.

There is a spark between the two characters right from the beginning. Jude worries he is too old and emotionally damaged for Kenley, and Kenley doesn't think she is loveable because of what she does and because one of her feet had to be amputated after a severe injury. The book is very suspenseful as Kenley and Jude try to stay one step ahead of the hacker. They have to learn to open up and trust each other to stay alive. The story does a great job of showing that everyone deserves a "happily ever after." I look forward to the next book in this series. 

Thank you to Harlequin and NetGalley for the advance copy of this ebook. My review is voluntary and unbiased.

Dark Web Investigation is an exciting, fast-paced, steamy, and emotional love at first flight from danger romance.
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Summary:
When Kenley Bates stumbles into what appears to be a cyberterrorism plot she phones a friend for help, but it’s Jude Mason who picks up the line. Jude is former military and currently a cybersecurity expert for a private firm. He rides to her rescue and ends up on the run from unseen forces determined to take down Kenley and possibly the world. Along the way they fall deeply in love and fight to save lives and secure their own future happiness.
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Thoughts:
A super enjoyable read and an ideal balance of action and romance. The 200 pages fly by.

Kenley has a lower limb amputation, and this is skillfully integrated into the story not just from an external factors side but from an emotional one as well. (The author’s bio indicates Mettner is writing from her own experience.) Through Kenley, readers are given visibility into the ways prosthesis use and limb loss can present unique challenges - especially when they are unable to control their environment.

Kenley is a fiercely determined woman ready to survive and save the day. Some books make the mistake of taking away any realistic vulnerabilities for that character type though, and this one does not fall into that trap. Yes, she’s going to walk that extra mile but it’s not going to stop the fact that she’s likely to get a blister that could prove very dangerous to someone on the run.

As a hero match for that type of heroine, Jude is perfect. He recognizes that she needs reminding about self-care and takes on that role as partner and protector. The scenes where Jude is tending to Kenley’s limb and caring for her body are very powerful. They develop trust and physical vulnerability in such a way that the eventual physical intimacy is deeply emotional and quite moving. It’s also super hot!

The external conflict resolution, where the bad guy hacker almost gets his way, hit peak intensity. The story wraps up in a satisfying way with a believable happily ever after. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

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Harlequin Intrigue (July 2025)
Standalone/Series: Secure Watch Book #1, Can easily be read standalone, although it references characters from a previous series (Secure One - also by Mettner). A solid series starter.

Themes/Tropes: cybercrime, on the run from a threat adventure, forced proximity, heroine with a lower limb amputation, just one bed, caregiving and nurturing of a partner’s body, AI threats, real danger, roadtrip in a crappy car

Steam/Spice Level: open door, in the bed, higher end of the HQ Intrigue spicy scale, very hot and also deeply emotional scenes that really fit the characters and the story

Setting: Milwaukee, WI, Northern Illinois, Southern Wisconsin, & Iowa

BIPOC Characters: Yes, FMC is a Latina & Black woman

POV: third person, past tense, dual POV (hero and heroine)

Cops/LEO: the MMC is former military and now works in cybersecurity for a private firm, the FMC does occasionally do government contract work, but neither are official law enforcement
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Thank you Harlequin for the Advanced Reader Copy. Expected publication date: July 1, 2025

Justice and doing what is right are two things that Kenley Bates strongly believes in, and she has the skill set to make things right. However, when she bites off maybe a little more than she can chew, Jude Mason, from Secure Watch, enters the picture. This dynamic duo, backed by all of the characters we know and love from the Secure One series, can quite possibly save the world from a hacker, who thrives on secrecy, chaos and games.

The cat and mouse games were complex and interesting. Even though I know nothing about computer coding, it really did not matter because the bones of this story were what made it so unique. The two charismatic main characters were just the cherry on top. The whole premise behind this plot was actually quite disturbing, but lifelike in today's society. There were a few times when my heart was in my throat wondering where we were headed.

It is always interesting to read about the character (Kenley in this case) with the prosthesis. This author's intimate knowledge of the subject makes this character more realistic. It is also educational for those of us who do not understand the complexities. One of my favorite scenes involved Jude being so tender with Kenley in helping her care for her leg. I almost teared up as it was so touching. If you like intrigue, suspense and cyber mysteries, you will love this one.

This spinoff of the Secure One series is off to a dynamite start. Now I am ready for book 2.

Thank you to Harlequin and the author for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Kenley Bates is an amputee due to an accident that claimed her best friend when they were young teenagers. She sure the manufacturing knew there was a problem with the ATV that caused to accident. She has spent years working on the dark web trying to find information on the company. She also works as a cyber security expert as a day job. While late one night she accidently goes into a dark web to the wrong website and find a security problem. She tries to contact her friend but ends up with Jude Mason who is answering her security friend's phone.
Jude decides she needs help and drives to her town to pick her up, but it seems she has a group of people after her.
As Kenly and Jude invade the person or persons after her they become close. They need to draw the person out and expose the security threats.