In 2007, Melanie Lentz was one of the youngest female Secret Service agents ever hired. At 22, she had no prior military or law enforcement experience, much less life experience. But she sold herself on a platform of trainability. She could be taught the skills needed to be a great agent, and her work ethic and stubbornness got her through the grueling months of training.

Agent Innocent: How the Secret Service Changed My Life chronicles Melanie’s journey into womanhood by paralleling her personal and professional lives. While her experiences and life lessons were acquired via unconventional and unique ways, her story proves remarkably relatable. Behind the sunglasses, earpiece, badge, and ponytail was a woman struggling to balance a demanding occupation and a neglected personal life. For years she hid behind her respected reputation at work, convincing those around her that she was okay when she wasn’t. After being assigned to former first lady Nancy Reagan’s protection detail in Los Angeles, Melanie’s life began to unravel, ultimately leading to her resignation in July 2016, shortly after Mrs. Reagan’s death. With vulnerability and raw emotion, Melanie tells her story of divorce, depression, dysfunction, self-esteem, humility, self-awareness, and more. Melanie failed to protect herself, but she was exposed to the concept of protection every day at work. Little did she know, the Secret Service was covertly giving her the life experience she needed to help her start over and become a better woman.