What a great read! There’s instant attraction, family unity, nail-biting suspense, hot chemistry. I was glued to the pages. Chad and Britt’s story was exceptional and I can’t wait to read about all the brothers.
5 stars!!

The Soldier is the first book in Susan Stoker’s new Alpha Cove series. It is a steamy romantic suspense novel filled with intense passion, fantastic characters and an interesting storyline. This story is written in third person from the point of view of the hero, heroine and several other key characters.

Britt Starkweather meets Chad Young when she’s hit rock bottom-abandoned by her boyfriend in a new town with a car that won’t start, while Chad has just returned home after the death of father. Chad and his family offer her a chance at a new start in the cove she has grown to love, but something is wrong at Lobster Cove…will they believe her and keep her safe? Read it and find out!

I loved Chad and Britt together, their connection and trust in each other was evident from the start. I loved the dynamics of the Young family and how they worked and cared for each other and their father’s legacy, Lobster Cove. Their open acceptance and faith in Britt was also heartwarming. This is an amazing start to what will be a fantastic series. I can’t wait to read the next story in this series!!

I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

New Series book 1 lays the groundwork for the Young family that warms the heart, brings the smiles and makes you want to move to Maine and be a part of it all. This is a slow burn with a little mystery. The mystery was not so mysterious to me, but I enjoyed the family, especially Chad's mom. Chad is one of the 4 brothers and ex-military. He recently lost his dad and moves home to help his mom. He comes across a young woman (Britt) sitting in her car while a store employee is yelling at her. Britt is likeable, intelligent, who has lived an unlovable past, while Chad comes from a great family, with happy memories. This was a pleasant read with some humor and a minor mystery. As one who has lived in Maine this brought me home! Thank you for the advanced copy. I freely share my honest thoughts and opinions. #TheSoldier #AlphaCove #SusanStoker #Montlake #NetGalley

This book really hits all the marks. Chad is retired military and Britt has recently relocated to Maine and been abandoned by her boyfriend. Chad gets Britt a job at the family business and the rest of the story takes off from there. It wouldn't be a Susan Stoker book without some suspense and it is well done in this book and not drawn out too long. I really enjoyed this one.

🌊ARC review🌊

The soldier by @authorsusanstoker
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
I had no idea this would be so heart wrenching. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. This wasn’t just a cutesy romance. There is betrayal, kidnapping, and cops involved. But at the same times, finding love unexpectedly. I loved this and cannot wait to see what the rest of the series will be like 💥

This is my first book by Susan…. I can say I am a fan of her work now and there was no 3rd act break up which I loved even more. Thanks again for the opportunity to read this!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4/5)
This was a cozy, deeply comforting small‑town romance wrapped in healing and second chances. Chad and Britt’s slow‑burn chemistry is sweet and grounded in emotional growth. The way community and found family support the romance added real depth. Some readers mentioned the pacing was gentle, it’s not for those craving breathless suspense, but it worked perfectly for me as a feel‑good escape. A solid series launch.

Former soldier, present knight to the rescue😉

Chad and Britt steam up the pages in this romance, the first in a series about four brothers, all veterans of different branches of the service. The setting is a coastal property in Maine where their mom needs the four brothers to help out with the family business after dad's death. They haven't even all returned yet when former Army sniper Chad visits a local business for supplies and spies Britt, stranded, living out of her car and needing a helping hand.

This novel had a good mix of cozy family moments, budding steamy romance and suspenseful drama. It does a great job providing backstory, particularly for Britt, and an interesting set of side characters in the grumpy neighbor and his grandson. The frenetic action scene at the climax really had me revved. I could have done with less graphic intimate scenes, but that's my personal preference, not a criticism.

Looking forward to the next in the series.

Thanks to Montlake and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

Review shared on 8/4/25 on Goodreads and Bookbub, and with Barnes & Noble and BAM.

Excited for this authors new series! Love small town romance and interconnected standalones about their families. Loved all 4 brothers and how they were ex military and of course loved the matriarch of the family. Chad was a cinnamon roll(which was a good thing) taking care of Britt when she needed it the most. They had good banter and good chemistry. Cant wait for the next brothers book!

Britt has found herself homeless and alone and then she meets Chad. Chad has returned home to help his mother when he sees a damsel in distress. In helping her will he find a future?
The Soldier is first in Susan Stoker's Alpha Cove series. I enjoyed meeting Chad and his brothers. They have grown up only to realize that they need each other and home. Along the way Chad meets Britt. She gives him something he didn't even realize was missing. But now that she has can he protect her? I thoroughly enjoyed finding out in this new world Ms. Stoker has taken us to

I have read several of Susan’s stories and this one was different from the others I read. The family dynamics in this story were amazing. The brothers’ love of their family is special. This was a feelgood story that had me smiling a lot (see Lobster Swing). I found this story more about the brothers and their caring for each other and Lobster Cove. The love story was sweet and there was a tiny suspense. I wanted more suspense which is what I am use to in Susan’s books. I definitely want to read the other brothers’ stories (especially Linc’s, oh yeah, the older grumpy brother).

This is the start of a new series and Susan didn't disappoint. There's not the action like in her other books, but this one has heart. When Chad and his brother's come home for their dad's funeral Chad talks to the other's and decides it's time to come home. All the brothers move home, and you can see and feel the love they have for their mom. When Chad goes to town and sees Britt being yelled at for sleeping in her car he comes to her rescue. Taking her home and having is mom offer her a job helping to take care of the cabins she can't refuse she's homeless and nowhere to go. There's hope, new beginnings, finding a family even if they're not blood related and small town romance. And the way Susan describes the town it makes you feel like your there.

Loved reading the engaging and amazing romance story. When Britt finds herself homeless and living in her car being yelled at to move her car, Chad comes to her rescue, fixes her car, and invites her home for lunch, meet his mom, and his mom offers her a job. Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written, and a must read riveting love story by the phenomenal author, Susan Stoker.

This is my first book by Susan Stoker, and I loved it.

The MMC Chad is a former army sniper who moves home to support his family after his father’s death and is navigating returning to civilian life. Our FMC is down on her luck, and an accidental meeting between the 2 brings them together in close proximity.

The development of the relationship between the two feels real and develops in such a sweet way. The small-town vibes are a great backdrop with the sprinkling of suspense and drama within the story line, both of which add another level to the book. I loved the dynamics with and between the side characters and can’t wait to learn more about them if they are in future books.

I flew through this book as it really drew me in, and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series and I’m definitely going back to try some of the authors other books. Overall, I gave it 4.5 stars.

Chad Young is a former Army sniper returning home after the death of his father. With his military career behind him, Chad is navigating the emotional challenges of transitioning to civilian life while helping his family run their local businesses. He’s calm, grounded, and fiercely loyal—qualities that make him a compelling hero without leaning into over-the-top alpha tendencies.

Britt Starkweather is down on her luck after her boyfriend abandons her and steals everything she has. Homeless and jobless, she’s sleeping in her car when Chad steps in. What follows is a quietly moving story of kindness and community, as Chad and his family take Britt in and offer her not only stability but a sense of belonging.

The romance between Chad and Britt develops slowly and sweetly. There’s no instant drama or forced conflict—just two people learning to trust again. Their chemistry is gentle and genuine, making their emotional connection feel earned. Britt’s resilience and kindness shine through despite her painful past, while Chad’s protective instincts are warm and sincere, never possessive. The suspense element, centered around theft at the family business, adds just enough tension to keep the plot moving without overpowering the character-driven heart of the story. It also gives Britt a chance to show her strength, not just as a survivor, but as someone who actively protects those who helped her.

Overall, this is a heartwarming small-town romance with a gentle pace, lovable characters, and just the right touch of suspense. Set in a cozy town in Maine, this story blends emotional healing, family loyalty, and second chances into a satisfying read.

Soooo good to the point I'm not sure why there's some negative reviews. So glad to have the opportunity to read this book of Susan's. This is Britt, and Chad's story. Chad had just moved home to Maine after his dad died in order to help run the family business as well as keep an eye on his mom. While out doing some errands he meets Britt who was dumped and left by her ex in Maine and was homeless. He takes her home and she begins to help out and they begin to develop a friendship that has turned into something more, when they find out a family friend has betrayed the family, and they all end up getting a whole lot of problems. This is how they end up back together in one piece. The two of them are steamy, and they of course have a hea I promise. Even after being given a lot of trouble.

Fantastic story, wonderful new family!

The setting is the Young family compound, which also functions as a vacation resort and auto mechanic shop among other ventures, and after the recent passing of their patriarch, all four sons are in the process of moving home to support their mother as she keeps the family business running.

After an accidental run-in with Britt, who'd been left stranded by her ex-boyfriend, Chad offers her lunch with his mom, who promptly hires her to be her assistant. Britt is thankful for the opportunity, which also comes with a place to live at the resort, but is careful not to read too much into Chad's friendliness. For his part, Chad is trying hard not to make advances toward a woman who is essentially an employee, even if she doesn't report directly to him.

We have a delicious tension-filled setup for both Chad and Britt, whose mutual attraction soon rewrites all the rules. But there's still a lot of drama on hand, including the business matters now that the patriarch isn't overseeing everything, the newest resident of the fort in the woods, and the grouchy neighbor who seems set on ruining anything he can.

Ms Stoker is without a doubt one of the best authors for writing romantic suspense, perfectly balancing the growing relationship with all the other concerns, gradually leading us to a terrifying confrontation with a very satisfying resolution. Add in Chad's three brothers, each of whom is set to star in their own upcoming stories, and we get a fully immersive introduction to the entire Young clan, their interpersonal dynamics along with their family history and the military backgrounds of all four sons.

These are local boys turned heroes, and I loved every single page of this book. I honestly couldn't put it down once I started. I'm avidly looking forward to reading the rest in this series. Highly recommended for anyone who loves contemporary romantic suspense.

I have read several other Susan Stoker books and have like them all. The Solider is no different.

The Solider kicks off a new series, Alpha Cove. The series will follow the 4 Young brothers as they return to Maine after the death of their father. This story is Chad's story. Chad was a sniper in the military and comes back to help his mother with their family businesses. On a chance encounter, he meets Britt when she is have some really rough luck.

Britt folds so easily into the Young family when she begins to live at the main house and work for them. Soon enough Chad and Britt fall in love while working side by side.

This story also introduces us to not only the brothers, but so many other characters that are a part of Lobster Cove.

There was one thing that I had a hard time with, it was Zach. When he arrived back home, I really didn't like him. Honestly, I am still not sure.

Overall, I enjoyed this story as I have others by Susan.

Spice: 3/5
Fun: 3.5/5
Overall: 3.5/5

Thanks to NetGalley and Montlake - Ballantine for providing an eARC for an honest review.

Chad Young is home in Lobster Cove after many years in the Military. Running an errand for his mother in town, he rescues a down on her luck young woman and brings her home to his mother.  Love at first sight? certainly not but it's definitely a start of something.
Soon Britt is working for Chad's mother helping with the summer rentals on the property and living in their home.  The bookkeeper Otis gives her the creeps as does Otis's son Camden but the other folks at the various businesses in Lobster Cove are welcoming. Next Britt has to face the gauntlet from Chad's brothers who have all also returned home to be closer to their mom and each other. 
It is inevitable that Chad's protective instincts soon turn into love, the chemistry of course has been there from the moment he saw the man yelling at Britt in town.  Otis and his son however are not happy since the return of the brothers and Britt's knowledge of the accounting and inventory is set to upset their applecart. There's danger, excitement, warm family fun and the mother is a kick ass character who's a feisty lady. 
I really enjoyed this book and look forward to seeing how the other three brothers succumb to love and their mother's desire for grandbabies.

The Soldier by Susan Stoker is an emotional romance set in a small coastal town in Maine. Chad and Britt meet when Chad comes home to help his family, and Britt ends up working for Chad’s family. The connection between Chad and Britt grows quickly, built on trust and kindness. The small-town setting and family bonds add warmth to the story. There is a bit less action compared to Susan's other stories, but the romance is strong and heartfelt. This is a great start to the new Alpha Cove series.