The Soldier is the first book in Susan Stoker's new series and I loved it! The author does an amazing job of helping you envision the Maine setting, I want to vacation there pronto! The characters have strong family bonds and it's obvious Britt and Chad were meant to be together.. I can't wait to see the matches for the rest of the brothers and I have a hypothesis about the matriarch Evelyn too. A not to be missed suspenseful romance!

Lobster Cove…

Chad Young isn’t quite so young any more. He’s moved back to Lobster Cove after his fathers death to help his mom with all their businesses. At 37, he’s feeling his years of military service.

Britt just got stranded in Lobster Cove and Chad comes to a damsel in distress and takes her in.
But since this is Susan Stoker, things are shady in Lobster Cove.

Well written and engaging.
Recommend.

New romantic suspense series…

I really enjoyed Susan Stoker’s series starter! Maine sounds amazing and I need to move there immediately! Of course, there are all kinds of hijinks happening so the slow burn romance heated up along with the danger…

Chad suddenly lost his dad so he and his brothers were moving home for good to support his Mom and help run the family vacation spot. When he sees Britt being disrespected his protective mode engaged and the start of something amazing began. Their courtship was full of family as they fell in love under their watchful eye. Trust grew and so did hope…

A hallmark of this author’s story is love at the center – whether sibling, parent or partner – and it was in full evidence here. Inside jokes, shared memories, and a true liking for each other, meant Chad and his family were a revelation to Britt who craved and deserved love…

Through heartfelt talks and simply sharing their everyday lives, Chad and Britt grew closer. Falling in love, solving a mystery at their family business – it was all here in a satisfying, entertaining read…

The suspense in this book?? I've never read such a suspenseful romance book before. I feel like the suspense and the mystery within this book really helped moved the story along and kept me at the edge of my seat. I also really enjoyed the family aspects within this book. You really get to know the characters at such a deeper level and I think that's what made me love the book so much. I am really excited for the next book in this series, I LOOOOVE the family dynamics and all the banter.

I'd recommend this book to anyone looking for a small town romance with a bit of mystery within the story! I can't wait to check out other books written by Susan!

The Soldier: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (4/5)

Pub date: Available now!

Tropes:
- small town romance
- slow burn
- found family

Thank you Montlake & net galley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I've read several of Susan Stoker's books and this was a nice cozy small town romance, Chad comes home to lobster cove after his father's death to help his mother. He meets Britt who has been abandoned by her ex and helps her out.
If you are looking for a cozy romance check this one out.

Thanks NetGalley and Susan Stoker

The four brothers return home to Maine after the sudden death of their father. A close knit family they help their mother run the businesses while finding their own way in this town after being in the military for quite some time.
Second brother Chad meets Britt in town and she's just what his mother needs, someone who needs help. Chad makes her feel safe and secure and she repays by taking a load off for their mother.
She discovers something amiss financially and could be in danger. This story just takes off with danger, lies and so much more.
I couldn't put it down, especially the last half of the book. You'll be reading with bated breath wondering if they'll all survive.
I can't wait for the next story.

Honestly, I love a good Susan Stoker book. I didn't know what military romance was before Sustan Stoker so to me she's the queen of the genre. While I have enjoyed other books of hers more, like her Seal's series' and her Delta Force series' I did also enjoy this book. I love how she is able to tie romance and suspense together. For me I want to keep reading because I want to know if I'm right, if I figured it out! The Soldier was no different, I found myself questioning all different people fro. the get and while I had my suspicions and they were right, there were several times that I wasn't sure and questioned myself.

All is all if you enjoy romantic suspense with a dash of military man flair then this is a great book for you.


Thank you Susan Stoker, Montlake publishing, and NetGalley for this opportunity. I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The slow build of their attraction was paced to perfection, there was room for them to get to know each other and to just flirt. Forced proximity and a storm made them make a move. He calls her “peach”, because she is from Georgia, when she ran to him afraid of the storm, stop my heart. Chad protector of Brit. There was a little bit of a suspense subplot which I did not see coming but moved the romance forward.

I’ve read several Susan Stoker books, and I think this one is my favorite. While I’ve enjoyed the other books I’ve read by this author, I’ve always felt they were on the shorter side. They were a quick read without perhaps digging as deep into the story as I would have liked. I didn’t feel that way about this one. I felt like I really got to know the characters. While there was some suspense involved, I felt like the romance and the family were the focus of the story. And while her other books are part of a series, I never felt the strong need to continue reading them. It’s quite the opposite with this series. It focuses on four brothers, and I can’t wait for the next one in the series.

What do you get when you have an ex military man who helps a down on her luck woman Well you have the makings of another great Susan Stoker novel and in this case it is an entire new world

Britt is struggling living in her car after her no good ex cleaned her out and left Chad Young and his brothers have returned to Lobster Cove to bury their father each is in the military and will return permanently when they finish their contracts so they can be near their mother Chad will be the first to stay and when he sees a down on her luck woman he convinces her to come meet his mother who offers her a job finally her luck is changing Soon these two are falling for one another but someone wants to break them up Can they survive and build a future You will have to read to see

absolutely loved the soldier Evelyn was one special lady she was so welcoming to break no questions asked in the beginning thought it was funny how Britt kept thinking Chad and his mom or serial killers luring her in didn't see that coming I really thought Britt's past was going to come back and haunt her. I loved Chad and Britt's characters can't wait to see where they're are in the coming books. Also a loved Zach, Knox, Chad and Lincoln and the banter they had between themselves and their mom excited for the next book and Zach's story

🦞 New series🦞

I have been the BIGGEST fan of Susan Stoker for what feels like my whole life, so when I saw The Soldier up for an early read, you best believe I snatched it up. The first book in a new military romance series, The Soldier features a small town romance with a protective MC and an FMC that stands just as tall.

Chad Young is back in his small hometown to do the one thing he hoped he would never have to do. Bury his beloved father. He and his brothers moved away to different parts of the world, each part of the military in some branch or another, but with his fathers death, their family and their small town is rocked. Now the Young brothers have returned home to help care for their mother and run their family business; Lobster Cove.

Enter Britt, a down on her luck, heart of gold woman, hoping for the best and preparing for the worst. Britt is new to town, having made the change of scenery with her no ex-boyfriend who up and left her high and drive. When Chad comes to her rescue, Britt is guarded, but hopeful and determined to make this place her new home. Chad turns out to be an angel, both helping her with her car and with finding her a much needed job. This leads Britt to form a bond with Chad’s mother, and soon with Chad as well. While Britt and Chad start their budding new relationship, not all is sunshine and roses at Lobster Cove, someone is out to hurt this new found happiness, and it is up to the Youngs and Britt to stop them.

Eeeeeppp!! There is just something about this author's books that brings me such joy when I read them. Her men are always such green flags, even when they make mistakes (and they do sometimes, we're all human), they are supportive and protective, always willing to go above and beyond for their women. Chad and Britt and engaging and fun to read, the small town feel is one of my favorite series to fall into. I really enjoyed how vulnerable Chad is with Britt, he shows her a side of himself he doesn’t show to many and that made it even more memorable. Britt is strong and stubborn, but also shy and reserved, she knew when to take the lead, but also when to step back and let things go. The family element in this one really leads the plot of the story, and I’m very much looking forward to getting the rest of the Young brothers books.

4 Stars
2.5 Peppers

Trope:

🦞 Small Town
🦞 Ex-Military Romance
🦞 Slow Burn
🦞 Protective MC
🦞 Found Family

What a great way to kick off a new series! I loved the idea of all four brothers moving home to be there for their mom when their dad dies. I already know that I'm going to fall for each one as I read their stories. Chad is the first brother and he falls fast. His personality makes me think he's the oldest, but he's not. He's truly a leader and is so easy to fall for. Britt is a great character. She's a strong character that hasn't had a lot of support from others. I loved how she is taken in by this family. There is a great mix of romance and action in the story. Throw in a little intrigue and some really good laughs and you have a great story to escape into. I am already anxious for the next in the series. Definitely on my watch list. I received an advance copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

This is book one in the new Alpha Cove series. I enjoyed the story and the characters and already can't wait for the next one.

I am typically not a fan of books written in 3rd person, but Susan's books suck me in.

I really liked Chad and Britt together and the found family aspect. Britt really needed that. Chad's family truly made her one of their own. I absolutely loved Chad's mom, Evelyn.

Britt fell fast for Chad, but it didn't take him long to catch up. The spice was the perfect amount.

The drama that unfolded had me not wanting to put this down. I also enjoyed what we got to see of Chad's brothers, which makes me excited for their stories.

Chad has just returned home to Lobster Cove after the death of his father to help his mom run the place, his three brothers will be joining him as well. They have all left the service and want to be close to their mom as they are a close family with a great upbringing. Chad is the first to come home and there are many upgrades needed to be done before the season opens. A chance meeting with Britt in a parking lot has him offering Britt an opportunity she can’t afford to turn down. Britt is stranded in Maine, her ex left her, cleaned her out and now she is living in her car trying to find a job. She is wary of Chad, at first, but he convinces her to come home with him to meet his mother, Evelyn, who offers her a job on the spot. Her luck is turning around, she has a great job, is working for an amazing family who welcomes her and Chad makes her feel more than she should considering she was just dumped. But Chad is nothing like any of her exes, he’s kind, funny, protective, trustworthy, good looking and loves his mom and family. All is great until Britt uncovers a secret that could ruin the family….will Chad still want her once all is revealed.
OH YES!!! A GREAT start to a new series with steam, some suspense, great characters and a heartwarming/heartbreaking homecoming. Chad is the ultimate book boyfriend and Britt, can hold her own and a woman who needs a break and a loving family to have her back. The story flowed beautifully with descriptions that were spot on, and I couldn’t stop flipping the pages once I started…..can’t wait for the next one!!
*I voluntarily read an advanced copy and expressed my honest opinion*

Britt meets Chad and gets a break in her life she doesn’t see coming. Chad is helping his mom with the family business and Britt fits right in. The brothers are skeptical at first of Britt, but not mom. Evelyn is a secondary character who really stands out in this story. Twists and turns and a little action and a nice love story. Nice start to the series.

A typical Susan Stoker romance, FMC in need of saving, MMC happy to swoop in, bad guy tries to end the happy couple, but it all works out in the end. I'm not saying I didn't enjoy this, because I did, but as this might be my 12th Stoker book, I wish she had mixed it up a bit. At least the MMC is active duty military, 2.5 stars.

The Soldier by Susan Stoker is a heartfelt and passionate romance about love, trust, and finding a place to belong. Chad and Britt’s journey is both tender and captivating, with just the right blend of emotion and suspense. I enjoyed this engaging story and rated it five stars.

A classic Susan Stoker read. Set in Maine. I always love how Ms. Stoker writes her characters and the found family they find. But what's a story without a little suspense. But it's wrapped up nicely. Can't wait to see what's next.

In a new series by Susan Stoker, we will meet the Young Brothers, four of them. Lobster Cove is home to Chad Young, and he has decided to return there after the death of his father.

Britt is having a bad month and is struggling to gain her footing. Determined to make her own way, she gets a job offer with lodging, things are looking up. She is working for Chad’s mother.

A great series starter, in Susan Stoker fashion, a strong female, down on her luck, and in this case, a problem solver. Plenty of twists and action, spice, that is easy to read. Britt and Chad have an instant spark, there is some danger, but a great escape read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.

Review on Barnes and Noble as Julie Booklover