Mariposa by: Lexie Axelson

I made it into the special forces course, but there are three problems.
Problem number one? One of my instructors is the infamous Special Operator Beast—a man everyone fears due to his cold heart and polished career. He loathes being away from his team, which makes graduating nearly impossible for all of us, mainly his least favorite student, me.

Problem number two? My heart skips a beat whenever I look into his cruel eyes, and my blood heats whenever he’s near me. He’s tall, scarred, and a devastatingly irresistible man who never smiles.

Oh, and problem number three? He’s my ex-boyfriend’s dad.

We try to stay out of each other’s way to make our reckless attraction fade, but fate keeps bringing us together. The military calls me The Unbreakable Soldier, but falling for Kade O’Connell might be my undoing.

Mariposa is book 1 in the Queens Command Series set in the Scarred Executioners universe.

Meena’s Reading Vibe:

Read this when you’re craving a gritty, high-stakes romance that’s equal parts danger and forbidden tension. The heat of military drills mixes with the ache of undeniable attraction, where every stolen glance feels like breaking the rules. Perfect for nights when you want tattoos, scars, and slow-burn intensity wrapped in a story of power, loyalty, and love you’re not supposed to fall into.