Susan is such a comfort author for me. I know exactly what I’m going to get from her books and they always hit the spot. This book is no different!!
The soldier has everything I’m looking for in a Susan book and once again is a massive hit

✔️protective MMC
✔️ strong FMC
✔️”found family” - even though they’re related
✔️ swoon worthy love
✔️romantic suspense

Thank you NetGalley and Susan Stoker for the arc

This first story in the series, takes the readers to Lobster Cove, Maine. It’s here that the Young family lives.
When the patriarch of the Young family dies, former military man Chad Young , returns home to help the family and their business.
Britt Starkweather thought her move with her boyfriend to Lobster Cove , would be perfect. That is, until he leaves her, with no money and basically homeless.
Finding Britt in need of help, Chad offers her a job and room and board.
Insta-love occurs for these two from that moment on.
The story had some suspense to add a little action to the plot.
For this reader it was an ok story. That said, I enjoyed the family dynamics and the potential for more stories in the future.
It was more of a 3.5 stars story for me, but I have a great deal of respect for the effort this and other authors put in creating stories for our entertainment, thus the 4 stars,
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley. The opinions expressed are solely my own,

Publish date: August 12, 2025

Britt Starkweather is down on her luck after following her ex to a small town in Maine and being left alone and broke. She's been sleeping in her car and doing her best to get a job, when she meets Chad Young. Having decided to move back home to Maine after his father's passing, Chad keeps busy helping his mom take care of the family businesses until his brothers move back home as well. So when he meets Britt, he offers her a job to help take a load off his mother's back. What neither of them expected was to fall for each other.

The Soldier was an easy, quick read, a book that pulled me in and wouldn't let me go until I finished it. It's the first book in a new series, but it has its own resolution. Set in a small town in Maine, I love that we got to know a bit more about the other characters who will be making an appearance down the line. Chad's morals and loyalty to his family and loved ones was something I really enjoyed, as well as Britt's self-reliance while also keeping an open heart. Their ability and desire to be vulnerable with each other was endearing.

My favorite character was Evelyn, Chad's mom. She's a hoot!

The mystery for me was lacking a little, as it was clear from the beginning who the villain was, but that didn't prevent me from thoroughly enjoying the story. I can't wait for the next book in the series, and I'm definitely going to be working my way through Susan Stoker's backlist.

<i>Thank you NetGalley, Montlake, and Susan Stoker for this ARC in exchange for an honest review</i>

loved the family element in this book. It lent a good amount of humor to story. I enjoyed the two main characters but it was overly sweet a times. Overall it was a sweet, romantic and mildly spicy book.
My favorite part was that not only were the men capable in the story but the women were true bada** too!
Thank you Netgallery for the ARC!

Thank you for this arc!

The Soldier is a nice start to Susan Stroker’s new series! The start of the book felt a little slow and was also in 3rd person but once you pass that it’s a nice read. Aside from the swoon worthy MMC the family and friendship dynamics were great and definitely made the book better!

A new romantic suspense series from Susan Stoker is always welcomed with open arms and The Soldier, the first in the new Alpha Cove series did not disappoint. Because of the death of their father all the Young brothers move home to care for their family business and mother. Chad finding Britt Starkweather abandoned by her boyfriend turns out to be a godsend not only for her but the family also. For Britt, it was lifesaving. As Britt gets comfortable in her new job, she discovers something startling that could change the family and as danger mounts, she knows Chad will do everything to keep her safe.

I acquired this book from Net galley for review.

The soldier. This was my first book by Susan Stoker and I would definitely read more from her in the future when I need a nice palette cleanser.
Insta-love ✅
Damsel in distress rescued by emotionally intelligent alpha man ✅
Found family ✅
Wholesome family vibes ✅
Light action and suspense ✅
HEA ✅

I typically read stories with more of a slow burn, but I’m sure there are readers that prefer insta-love and I did with this book. Chad is swoon-worthy and Britt isn’t completely helpless and clueless, which I appreciated. The characters had depth and I was their concern for each other was really sweet. Now I want to know what happened with the rest of the Young brothers 👀🥰

The Soldier is the first book in Susan Stoker’s new Alpha Cove series, and I am completely hooked!

This story pulled me in from page one and didn’t let go—even after I turned the final page.

It’s a fast-paced read that I couldn’t put down. The characters are wonderfully developed, full of depth and personality, and I’m already eager to see more of them in future books. Their connections felt genuine, and the emotional beats really landed.

I especially loved the setting—it felt almost magical and reminded me so much of growing up in New England. That added layer of nostalgia made the experience even more special.

This book was everything I wanted and more—captivating, heartfelt, and impossible to walk away from.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I’m sharing my honest opinion voluntarily.

The Soldier (Alpha Cove #1) by Susan Stoker
Publisher: Montlake
Genre: General Fiction (Adult), Romance
Expected Publication Date: August 12, 2025

This was so cute 🥰

I adored the entire family and really admire how close they are. The mom is a gem. I love how well Britt fit into their dynamic. Can’t wait for Zach’s story!

*I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review with my honest opinion.*

The Soldier didn’t quite hit the mark for me. While the premise had potential, the execution fell flat. Mostly due to the painfully slow pacing in the first third of the book. I found it difficult to stay engaged, and despite pushing through, the connection between the characters never fully won me over.

The dynamic between Britt and Chad had moments of warmth, especially when dealing with toxic family elements, but overall, the story just didn’t resonate. It’s an okay read with a few redeeming qualities, but ultimately not the right fit for me.

If you're in the mood for a quick, low-angst romance sprinkled with a bit of suspense, this book might be right up your alley.

Given the title, The Soldier, I anticipated a deeper exploration of Chad's military background, but the story focuses more on the romance. While romantic suspense is one of my favorite genres, this book offers only a hint of it, and the twists are somewhat predictable. However, the love story is well-crafted, and I really appreciated the Young family’s dynamic, especially how they embraced Britt and supported one another.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I've read a lot of this author and this book follows her formula to a T. That's not necessarily bad or good. If you like military, alpha males and somewhat helpless females who have had a tough life then this is the book for you. I did enjoy that instead of her usual team of Seals or other military men this new series focus' on 4 brothers (who happen to have all been in the military). It was an easy read and a way to pass an evening.

Chad is a born protector. Well all of his brothers are I guess. He comes across Britt at the perfect moment and she needs protecting. Britt is a hard working women. It comes though in her personality and everyone wants to befriend her. I enjoyed reading, The Soldier. It has a little bit of suspense. I expected more because of the title. The romance was perfect.

When Chad Young moves home, it’s not a decision he makes lightly. A former military man, he doesn’t make any decision lightly. But his father’s passing has left the family—and their business—reeling. Now more than ever, they need to stick together.

Britt Starkweather moved to Maine with her boyfriend, never imagining he’d abandon her there. With no money and nowhere to go, she accepts the Youngs’ offer of a job and room on their property. What more does she have to lose?

I absolutely devoured this book. I'm a huge fan of Susan's writing. it's captivating and bingeworthy always with heartfelt characters. Family, friendship and new beginnings, you feel drawn into their world.
This beautiful story is like pulling on a sweater on a chilly evening.
Britt has a deep character stemming from childhood neglect which she has overcome.
Highly recommend
Kerry Kennedy Author

When Britt is dumped and left penniless by her boyfriend, Chad finds her being yelled at for sleeping in her car. He has moved home to help his mother with their businesses after his father’s death. He consults his mother and takes Britt home, where she works to help with the rental cabins. There’s a lot going on with the business and people who have been long trusted friends are not what they appear. This is a warm romance that moves quickly and introduces readers to Chad’s brothers who need their own stories. There’s mystery, danger, suspense, romance and family which make for an inviting book with a lovely adventure leading to a happy ending or maybe a beginning to more. I read this book on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

A great start to a new series. Susan builds a great world that makes you want to go back to again and again. Can’t wait for the next one.

Susan Stoker does it again. She just knows how to write her stories where the MMC's are the type that make you want to swoon with how caring they are. She also adds that element of suspense that adds to her stories. I loved Chad Young and how he was when he met Britt. She knows how to create her male leads to have a backstory of strength (often through being a man who was in military), who also has such a tender heart and cares deeply for those around him. Well, those who aren't trying to steal money OR his family from him.

Susan has a way of writing her stories that make you wish you were a part of this world. She created this fictional place, Lobster Cove, that draws you in and wishes it existed in real life because I would definitely want to visit there.

3 stars

Thank you, Netgalley, for the ARC copy of this book!

After his dad's death, Chad and his brothers (they are all hot military guys) decide to move back to help their mum with their family business. A few weeks after getting back into town, Chad meets Britt when some store clerk is harassing her about sleeping in her car at the store's parking lot. He brings her back to the family house, finds her a job, and the rest, as they say, is history.

This was a cute romance book. Britt and Chad are instantly attracted to each other, and everyone knows it. Chad's brothers were a fund addition and gave him a lot of shit about his crush. I also loved his mum. She was in his 70s, but that woman didn't let anyone treat her like an old lady, and she was just so so nice to Britt.

The reason it got a 3 star rating is it's pacing. 20% in, Chad was already talking about Britt being like no one he ever met before, because unlike other girls he dated before he wanted "to open up to her" and tell her allll his problems. This was 3 days after meeting her FYI. And also, isn't the "she isn't like other girls" BS overdone by now?. 45% in they were together. I thought there might be some forbidden aspect because he is kind of her boss, but he makes sure to tell that HE IS NOT her boss on day one. Insta-love is not for me, but if you like it you'll love this!!

It also felt like there was no tension. After getting together, Britt finds out something that could be a problem, and she just STRAIGHT OUT TELLS HIM. Yes, we all hate the miscommunication trope, but there HAS to be a story somewhere.

Otherwise, if you are looking for something low-stakes and insta-lovey to read, you are going to like this. Chad is the perfect man, to a point where I was like YES we GET IT. He always supported Britt and made sure she knew she was safe with him. He also protected her for her awful mum, which was really alpha of him.

The Soldier follows Britt and Chad when they are both in unfavorable places in their life. Britt was stranded, and Chad felt lost, but they found a harmonious connection with each other.

I didn't love this, but I didn't hate reading it. The romance felt rushed and blotchy, along with other aspects of the book. Overall, I don't have many strong feelings about the book. It was short, but still entertaining.

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with a free e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

DNF at 17%

This unfortunately wasn't for me. The writing was very slow and I actually didn't like it most of the time, it was also 3rd POV which just seems so weird for me in a romance book. I also didn't really feel much about the characters... so at this point it is a DNF for me. Maybe I will try again someday, but for now this book wasn't for me.

I don't rate my DNF's but I have to here so I will put a 1⭐️.
This rating is not because the book was bad! It just wasn't for me...