Viking by Brilee Scott

HE’S HER REFUGE. SHE’S HIS WAR. 

Fifteen years ago, I entered the United States Air Force Academy and never looked back. Becoming a fighter pilot, protecting my country, pushing limits—this was the only future I saw for myself.

Until one mission changed everything. A split-second decision turned the sky from a place of freedom into a battlefield I can’t escape.

Lila was supposed to be a memory, but she never faded. And now she’s back—embedded in my squadron, my jet, and my head. Wanting her isn’t just reckless. It’s dangerous. But I’m not sure I have the strength to stay away.

I know what it means to lose someone to the call of duty.

The missing man flyover. The folded flag. The silence that follows. It broke me once—and I promised myself I’d never risk that kind of pain again.

I thought I’d made my peace with Vegas. With that night. With him. But Logan was never meant to be forgotten. Now, every look, every word, and every moment pulls me closer, even when I know better.

Because the truth is simple—

Loving him could destroy me.

But losing him again? That might ruin me completely.

My Review

I’m honestly so honored to have read this story as an ARC, and incredibly thankful the author reached out to me for an honest review. I love a good military romance, and the moment I saw the book’s caption, I was hooked.

We meet Lila in Vegas, doing the classic maid-of-honor duties, when she unexpectedly crosses paths with Logan, a US Air Force pilot with the call sign Viking. She’s just accepted a job coordinating military contracts, he’s charming from the first moment, and their meet-cute sparks immediately.

As the story unfolds, Lila’s past comes out in these small, carefully placed pieces that kept me fully invested. Then ,bam, we jump ahead six years. Now we’re in Virginia, and Logan has a serendipitous reunion with Lila that he definitely wasn’t prepared for. Her career, her family ties, her father’s ranking in the military, and the big looming question of who Lincoln is all collide and bring her right back into Logan’s orbit.

Their relationship starts to rebuild and shift, but the mystery surrounding Lincoln? Still completely baffling in the best way. And the forbidden romance angle, especially with her being a General’s daughter, was a twist I did not see coming.

And then, midway through the book. I thought I had caught an author mistake. Nope. Absolutely not. A bomb goes off, figuratively, and destroys the perfect little world Lila and Logan were building. My jaw was on the floor. This book packs a punch. It’s full of heart and tenderness, yes, but also layered with secrets, tension, and reveals that feel genuinely nuclear.

As things click into place, the miscommunication trope creeps in, just a few times, but it works here because of everything they’ve left unsaid. And for this book to make me teary-eyed? That’s rare. It touches on grief, rejection, and other emotional wounds in such a thoughtful, honest way. I also love the way the author brought in self-care for Logan and Lila.

Yes, it’s steamy. But it’s also beautifully written, with so much feeling woven through every chapter. The portrayal of military life, especially the Air Force, is raw, heartbreaking at times, and incredibly real. The sacrifices these characters make feel authentic and deeply meaningful, not just plot devices.

By the end, everything comes full circle. We get the swoony romance we’ve been craving… and a cliffhanger that’s vicious in the best possible way. The found family vibes, from friends to colleagues to commanders, added so much warmth to the story. You can tell this book was written with heart, respect for the military experience, and a deep understanding of healing from grief. I even enjoyed all the plane facts; they were a nice touch to make it feel authentic.

I truly enjoyed this read. As someone who understands how demanding military life can be, I felt the authenticity on every page. Lila and Logan’s story is epic, emotional, complicated, and ultimately hopeful. They’re mature characters, even when I didn’t agree with them, and that maturity adds depth to even their hardest moments.

If you love military romance with heat, heart, mystery, and a storyline that hits, this one is absolutely worth picking up.

If you would like to read Viking by Brilee Scott you can find this book on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn on qualifying purchases.

If you loved this book you may also enjoy books with these tags and categories: Military, Second Chance romance and Midlife.