Last updated on 10/05/2026
An archaeologist risks everything to stop a disinformation podcaster from using his influence to incite violence in the latest thrilling installment in USA Today Bestselling author Rachel Grant’s Evidence: Under Fire series.
Staci Allen has finally landed the job that will help her finish her dissertation, but it comes with a major hitch: her new boss is a famous pseudoarchaeology podcaster, and she intends to use the upcoming Pacific Northwest expedition to debunk his theories and end his grift. But first, she has a pre-wedding celebration to attend, where she crosses paths with Navy SEAL Jake Burns—a huge fan of the podcaster.
Jake might be on her team in the paintball war, but he’s definitely the enemy. She can enjoy his pretty face and even the dangerous attraction he triggers with his cocky attitude, but when the weekend-long party is over, she will step into a world that places them firmly on opposite sides.
The job proves to be more dangerous than Staci prepared for. Surrounded by a hostile expedition team and trapped on a private island with a podcaster who will do anything to convince his followers his fake history is real, she remains determined to see the job through. Still, nothing prepares her for coming face-to-face with the SEAL she’s trying to forget. As the only man who could infiltrate the team, he could be her unasked-for backup. But the question remains, whose side is Jake really on?
Buy links here: https://rachel-grant.net/false-flag/
Review:
Staci and Jake’s story had me so stressed out–I can’t even! Heavy on fighting disinformation, pseudoscience, and pseudoarcheology, the danger they were both in (though especially Staci–you know, the mere graduate student) for so much of this story was just unbelievably intense. I honestly might have started biting my nails while reading this, if not for the fact that they’re acrylic! (No lie–I legitimately gasped out loud at one point. While reading in public. Pretty sure I scared the person sitting next to me.)
Their romance had a pretty rocky path too–I’m not usually the biggest fan of miscommunication in romance novels, but the way it played out here between Staci and Jake was 100% believable. I’m not saying I didn’t have some strong words for both of them while reading–especially as I watched Jake tell her the absolute last thing that would make her interested in him AND after witnessing what Staci did to him after the painball war–but seeing things from both of their POVs made it clear how and why they were having so much trouble at first. Did he come clean and explain himself in a timely fashion? Thankfully, yes, and they were able to move forward together at last, even while their lives were actively being threatened. (Did he still come up with the ILY pretty darn fast, all things considered? Yes. Am I even the littlest bit mad at him about it? Nope. 😉 )
As is often the case with these books, the secondary characters all coming together to work with and help our MCs is always a solid part of the story. Ms Grant does a great job of showing the strong relationships her characters have with each other, whether they’re friends, coworkers, or lovers (sorry, Shane! #IYKYK), and the times that they all get to hang out together–this time we have a super intense paintball war/joint bachelor and bachelorette party–are always some of the most fun to read, IMO.
I was so excited to get my hands on this one that I am actually reading the series slightly out of order–I’ve only read book 1 and 2 of the Evidence: Under Fire series so far. But hey, that just means I have book 3 ( Don’t Look Back ) to keep me busy while I wait for Vicki and Teague’s book to come out, right? 😉
Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
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