Pretend by Lexie Axelson Summary

Pretend by Lexie Axelson is a dark military romance that follows Alessia Valentín, a Navy intelligence officer on her first deployment, and Daegan Hannibal, a legendary Navy SEAL sniper assigned as her personal security. When Alessia becomes the target of a dangerous stalker, she's placed under the protection of the mysterious, masked operator known as "Creature." The story explores their forbidden attraction amid the dangers of military life, betrayal, and obsession, culminating in shocking revelations about trust and love.

Lexie Axelson is a Hispanic author from South Texas and a military spouse currently residing on the East Coast. She specializes in dark, gothic, and military romance novels that blend raw emotion with high-stakes tension. Axelson draws on her military community experience to craft authentic stories featuring complex relationships, morally gray characters, and intense emotional journeys. Pretend is the third book in her Scarred Executioners series, showcasing her signature style of angsty, swoon-worthy romance.

Pretend is ideal for readers who enjoy dark military romances with morally complex characters, age-gap relationships, and forbidden love tropes. Fans of spicy romance with emotional depth, forced proximity dynamics, and protective alpha heroes will appreciate this story. The book appeals to readers comfortable with obsessive love, stalker themes, and intense emotional turmoil. It's particularly suited for those who've followed the Scarred Executioners series, though newcomers can enjoy it with awareness that it connects to previous installments.

Pretend by Lexie Axelson offers intense chemistry between the main characters and emotional depth that resonates with dark romance enthusiasts. Readers praise the spicy scenes, complex character development, and the gripping tension between duty and desire. However, the book has mixed reviews, with some criticizing the writing style and character decisions. It ends on a cliffhanger, requiring investment in the series. For fans of dark military romance who appreciate flawed characters and obsessive love stories, it's worth exploring despite its polarizing elements.

Pretend by Lexie Axelson features several popular romance tropes including:

• Age gap romance
• Forbidden love (boss's daughter)
• Forced proximity during deployment
• Bodyguard/protector dynamics

The story incorporates dark romance elements with stalker themes and obsessive love. Daegan, the masked Navy SEAL operator, embodies the "grumpy, damaged hero who doesn't believe in love" archetype, while Alessia represents the determined heroine proving herself in a male-dominated military environment. These tropes combine to create intense emotional and physical tension throughout.

Alessia Valentín is a Navy intelligence officer on her first overseas deployment, determined to prove herself despite being Admiral Ravenmore's stepdaughter. Daegan Hannibal, nicknamed "Operator Creature," is a legendary Navy SEAL sniper known as the most lethal in the military who never misses. Cold, mysterious, and scarred both physically and emotionally, Daegan has survived impossible situations and doesn't believe in love. Their relationship begins when he's assigned as her personal security, creating a forbidden dynamic complicated by his traumatic past and dangerous obsession.

The shocking revelation in Pretend by Lexie Axelson occurs when Alessia discovers that Daegan, her assigned protector, is actually her stalker. She awakens in his home to find a room filled with photos and mementos of her, exposing his obsessive surveillance. While Daegan confesses his love and claims he never intended harm, this twist forces Alessia to grapple with betrayal, fear, and conflicting emotions about the man she's fallen for. This dark revelation adds complexity to their already forbidden relationship.

Pretend by Lexie Axelson is classified as a dark military romance containing potentially triggering content including stalking, obsession, and surveillance themes. The story features explicit sexual content, references to torture and trauma from Daegan's past, emotional manipulation, and scenes involving betrayal (Alessia discovers her boyfriend with her best friend). The power dynamics between protector and protected, combined with the stalker revelation, create morally gray situations. Readers sensitive to obsessive behavior, lack of consent boundaries, or dark romance themes should approach with awareness.

Pretend is Book 3 in the Scarred Executioners series by Lexie Axelson, and contrary to some retailer listings, it is not a standalone. Readers report that understanding the full context requires reading the previous books in the series. The novel ends on a cliffhanger, setting up future installments and leaving major plot threads unresolved. Characters and storylines from earlier books in the series are referenced throughout. For the best reading experience and complete story comprehension, starting with Book 1 of the Scarred Executioners series is recommended.

Pretend by Lexie Axelson is set primarily during a military deployment to Iraq, providing authentic military atmosphere drawn from the author's experience as a military spouse. The story explores Navy life, intelligence operations, and Navy SEAL missions, blending operational realism with romantic tension. The forced proximity of deployment intensifies the forbidden relationship between Alessia and Daegan. The military hierarchy complicates their connection—with Admiral Ravenmore as Alessia's stepfather and Daegan's ultimate superior—creating professional risks that heighten the stakes beyond personal danger from external threats.

Pretend by Lexie Axelson explores love, trust, and resilience amid military chaos and personal trauma. Central themes include the redemptive power of love despite betrayal and obsession, the balance between duty and personal desire, and healing from past wounds. The narrative examines how people hide behind masks—both literal (Daegan's physical mask) and metaphorical—to protect themselves from vulnerability. It also addresses the sacrifices required to sustain relationships tested by danger, distance, and forbidden circumstances, ultimately questioning whether love can survive darkness and deception.

"Pretend" in Lexie Axelson's novel serves as both the title and a recurring motif representing the characters' attempts to escape reality temporarily. Alessia asks Daegan to pretend they aren't bound by military hierarchy and professional restrictions, creating moments where they can explore their feelings freely. The concept evolves throughout the story from innocent fantasy to dangerous self-deception, especially after the stalker revelation. Key quotes like "Can we pretend that Ravenmore is not your boss" and "Pretend it's a shooting star" illustrate how they use pretense to justify their forbidden relationship.