3⭐️s

The potential in this book is strong but the plot did not flow well and I couldn’t connect with the H/h as a couple.

I voluntarily read an advanced copy.

This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.

What an action packed book! Lots of smoldering attraction, SEAL missions, and betrayal add up to an exciting romantic drama. Stryker and his SEAL team are tasked with bringing down a drug cartel while acting as ranchers. Stryker meets the veterinarian for the ranch,,Anya and the sparks fly!

Lots of twists and turns as the team tries to find out why classified information is leaked or they are not receiving the full mission info that they need to survive. Hope there is more revealed in a future book as we just get a glimpse at the end of who is behind this plot.

Stryker keeps letting himself get deeper and deeper with Anya but then pulls back which hurts Anya. It is also hard for him as he cannot tell her who he really is or what he is doing there so that is another complication to their story!

Things really fall apart for their mission and for Stryker when Anya is in danger. I love that she doesn't wait to be rescued and tries to save herself!

Great HEA but I sure hope that Phantom and Elena will get their own book!!

The story has plenty of action. I had a problem with the ending though... the reader never finds out who / whom is behind the drug cartel in the US military. The group or Seals were special trained and selected for this mission by a "retired" major in the Navy. All the men have a connection with each other -"family" and can communicate with each other with just a look. It is this special bond that enables them to be one of the most successful Seal teams with the navy. Striker becomes enamored with the local Vet when she helps him deliver a new calf on the cattle ranch (their cover for the mission). She is injures by the heifer while she is delivering the calf / she is shocked to find that she passed out after being kicked by the animal. She has remained a virgin - but gives herself to Striker - after their "medic " looks at her to insure she is healthy enough / not needing to be rushed to the local hospital (and hour away). The stream of consciousness / third person verbiage bothered me at times in story - the reader is left wondering who the head of the drug cartel is.

Some times you read a book that just doesn't work for you. A SEAL Never Quits was that book for me. I made it 25% in before I threw in the towel. Here are a few reasons why this didn't work for me:

 1. The hero and heroine were totally flat. They felt so static to me I couldn't get into their story at all.
 2. The plot is....well, its a bit of a stretch even for me and I read PNR. So this group of SEALs go undercover on a cattle ranch in Texas to figure out what a cartel might or might not be doing. They stick out like sore thumbs and someone is snooping around by the 20% mark because its so obvious.

Maybe it makes more sense later on? I just couldn't stick with it any more. And I love books about military heroes. And the heroine was a veterinarian which is super awesome. Finally, this is a new to me author; maybe I need to try some of her other stuff?

This is the first book in a wonderful new series There are a few series around where we have undercover seals appearing to be something in this case they are working on a ranch but at the same time they are working to bring down the drug cartels and find out how they are evading authorities

Lieutenant Amador “Stryker” Salas is the leader of this band of undercover Seals and he and his men are determined to stop what could be a terrorist plot. He is deeply attracted to Anya Gutierrez the local vet who cares for the animals on the ranch. The feeling is mutual but Stryker doesn't want to get involved in case it blows his cover They are also total opposites he is buttoned down and serious from the dark work that he has done while she is sunny and sweet But when danger threatens her Stryker will not only tell her his secret mission but will go all out to keep her safe. This is a fairly quick read but there is plenty of drama and suspense to keep you engaged throughout Looking forward to more books in what looks like a great series

This is Amador “Stryker” and Anya book, Stryker is a lieutenant in the navy seals and is putting together a top notch team of seals to go undercover at a Texas ranch. Anya is a veterinarian that has been serving the local ranches for years. She loves animals and the ranching life! When her and Stryker meet stryker finds her a breath of fresh air in his otherwise disciplined life! When Anya gets caught in the crosshairs of a mission gone bad striker must tell her the truth about who he is and risk everything to keep her out of harms way even if it destroys him in the long run! This book was awesome! It had everything it was definitely filled with suspense! There was a lot of action! It was all around a great read! I highly recommend reading this one!! It’s well worth the read!! Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for sharing this book with me!

3.75⭐

Holly Castillo is a new author to me and I requested this story because not only do I love to read new authors but because this story sounded intriguing, interesting, and different. What with a group of SEALs being sent undercover on a Texas ranch where they would undertake covert Ops across the border. And whilst it was different and engaging. It was also slow paced and not very action packed. But to be fair, there is a lot of ground work set to create the story and introduce the characters. Who I did find very appealing and the romance element was pleasant if a little predictable given that Stryker is a SEAL. Who is essentially undercover and therefore unable to be truly honest with Anya. But that being said I did enjoy the story and there is certainly lots of potential for the series. So I would definitely look out for book two when its released.

I loved how I was pulled into this story - the connection between the main characters, the brotherhood shown with the team, and the way the small Texas town and ranch and the missions came to life around me. I appreciated and adored getting to really feel and understand both Anya and Stryker, getting lots of time in both of their heads and riding out the push and pull of their relationship. Add in a crazy bad-guy story line that delivers just the right amount of anxiety, suspense, and surprises and you have a attention-grabbing action-adventure suspense romance story!

I loved how Anya was a mix of sweet, strong and vulnerable - the perfect compliment to Stryker's protective nature and tough-guy emotional needs. These two truly needed the other one, fitting together like they should.

I look forward to the next book, seeing what's next for this SEAL team to uncover and see another SEAL heart be conquered.

Holly Castillo’s A SEAL Never Quits has a great many points of entry: a cowboy tale, a Navy SEALs story and a novel filled with sexy Hispanic characters. Given the length and complexity of the rest of the book, though, the initial interaction of the romantic leads was amateurish and way too quick. It happens in the blink of an eye compared to the time and detail of any of the SEAL team scenes. But the SEAL scenes do add a thrill and soon you are rooting for the good guys, and gal. The conclusion is as satisfying and the thrill. This is the first in a new series but the set up for future books didn’t interfere with this sexy tale. I would recommend the book to patrons with the warning about the initial meeting and greets.

3 1\2 stars
The story has moments of being really good but than the author seems to get lost in the romance or details and readers are confused why the seal are working at a ranch. Even though it is explained in the book many many many times but it really doesn't make since in the end. The secondary story is very typical of a "Undercover Special Forces."

The story works but it doesn't flow well and lacks focus many different times.

Thank you for the copy from Netgalley and the publisher Sourcebook Casablanca for a copy of Holly Castillo A Seal Never Quits.

For the beginning of a new series it doesn't hold most readers attention.

I did not care for the writting style of this author. The characters lacked depth, I never really felt like I new them and their story. Which ment the romance suffered for me. The plot just sort of fell by the wayside for me.





I received this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Lieutenant Amador "Stryker" Salas and his Navy SEAL team have been assigned to a covert operation on a ranch in Texas. There is possible information that a terrorist attack, against the United States, is being planned. They are to appear to be ranchers while determining if the threat is credible and if things should go bad, the government will disavow any knowledge of the team or operation. When Anya Gutierrez, the local veterinarian, shows up at the ranch, Stryker has no idea who she really is, but finds that she has been treating the animals on the ranch for years. When the terrorists learn about the ranch, the danger rises. Someone is disposing of those who no longer can provide needed information. Who is the “head boss” behind the threat? Meanwhile, the attraction is strong between Stryker and Anya and when Anya could be in danger, Stryker must protect her at all costs. A thrilling romantic suspense from beginning to end. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

Though I love a good cowboy book and a good SEAL book, this didn’t quite scratch either of those itches. It began rather abruptly and didn’t give me the best introduction to either character. Then, neither Anya nor Stryker were particularly fleshed out beyond the bare minimum, and the development of their relationship likewise suffered. For instance, Stryker is immediately alpha male protective (read: possessive) of her from their first outing, and there hadn’t been development to get them there, nor did they deal with it after the fact. I found myself unable to really invest in either main character.

Also, a huge aspect of romantic suspense for me—and SEAL books especially—is the cultivation of a solid team of guys who all play a real role in each book, and who also function as a badass, supportive group.

An eARC was provided to me from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book! Its the first book I have read by Holly Castillo and it won't be the last. This is book 1 in the Texas Seals .So more to look forward to. I did feel like maybe there was a novella or something before this. Like I missed something. The story is told from Strykers point, Anya's point and the bad guy. Several bad guys. I thought starting this one would be typical romance suspense with Military guys, (SEALS in this case). When it came to the bad guys it seemed more intense. I personally don't need chapters of explicit "romance" but it appears to me the norm more and more for all author, and being honest, I skim those parts. The beginning and ending of sexcapade is it for me. I loved the details with all the SEALS, you connect to them, they are done well and I am sure each ones book will flesh them out more. I wanted to like Anya, the traits were there, they just werent deep enough, or fleshed out enough. I miss that, she could have been more and I think it would have made the story more. There is intrique, mystery, romance and suspense with some badass SEALS. I am grateful the arc, I am so glad I asked for it and that I read it, I will be looking for other books Holly Castillo has written and am looking forward to this series. Thank you Holly Castillo, Sourcebooks Casablanca and Netgalley All thoughts and opinions are my own and were unsolicited.

A SEAL Never Quits
(Texas Navy SEALs #1)
by Holly Castillo

Paperback, 352 pages
Expected publication: July 30th 2019 by Sourcebooks Casablanca



Goodreads synopsis:
A SEAL is ready for anything...except losing his heart...

Lieutenant Amador "Stryker" Salas and his tight-knit Navy SEAL team are undercover on a Texas ranch and tasked with covert ops across the border. It's an assignment that requires all their skills, all their secrets, and all their know-how.

Anya Gutierrez, the local veterinarian, has been serving the ranch for years. She loves the animals and ranching life, and Stryker finds her a breath of fresh air in his otherwise rigidly disciplined existence.

When Anya gets caught in the crosshairs of a mission gone sideways, Stryker must tell her the truth about who he really is, risking everything to keep her out of harm's way, even if it destroys him...

***

3 Stars

This is the first book in the Texas Navy Seals series by Holly Castillo.

First off, this book was pretty good. I liked the overall story, romance and mystery. But this book does what many romances do which is a pet peeve of mine. It keeps telling us over and over how much they each want each other even though they have just met each other and know nothing about each other. Please just show and don’t tell. I was cringing at all the cliche words they kept telling themselves in their mind and muttering to people around them. It was kind of annoying and really this book was better than that. It didn’t need to rely on such tactics to get us interested in the romance.

Then there is the whole circumstance around the base of operations where Stryker and his team find themselves. They have the best of the best tech and yet still someone gets into the compound and takes photos of them all. I kinda find that hard to believe. Stryker had a bit of Spidey-sense at the ladder half of the book and I figure if someone had been watching all of them that someone might have sensed something during that time as well. Not to mention the whole identity of the photographer was left hanging at the end of the book. I guess that is going to be used in book two of the series which I assume will be the book of Phantom and Elaina.

Basically, the story is about a group of Navy SEALS are on a mission to take down bad guys in Southern Texas, Mexico and South America. Particularly this is focusing on a drug cartel called the Scorpions. They are pretty new to the scene but have quite a good cyber/hacker guy who had put them above the rest. The SEALS plan to infiltrate this organization and take them down.

Anya Gutierrez is the local vet for all the cattle and animals. She meets Stryker when one of his animals is having a difficult birth. When Anya and Stryker meet it is pure magic and they quickly decide they can’t stay away from each other.

This book is a happily ever after… for now type of read. If you like like your romantic suspense with more romance than suspense, then check this title out.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

A SEAL Never Quits is the first book in Holly Castillo’s new Texas Navy SEAL Series. This is an action-packed military romantic suspense novel with no cheating and a happily ever after.

Lieutenant Amador “Stryker” Salas, along with his hand chosen Navy SEAL Team, have been tasked to work undercover on a Texas cattle ranch to investigate a possible drug cartel related terrorist plot. There he meets Anya Gutierrez, the local veterinarian, who works with the animals on the ranch. The chemistry between Stryker and Anya is instantaneous and intense. Stryker is drawn to Anya’s innocent, and sunny disposition, which greatly contrasts the dark, serious and rigidly disciplined existence he has lived in for years. With Stryker, Anya feels accepted, cherished and safe. Throughout the story, Stryker struggles with accepting his connection and strong, feelings for Anya, but when his mission endangers her life, will he be able to save her before she’s lost forever? Read it and find out!

I discovered Holly Castillo and this series while searching Netgalley. The cover drew my attention and once I read the synopsis I was hooked. I love action packed, military stories with a side of romance and a whole lot of chemistry.

This is Castillo’s first foray into this genre and she has done an exceptional job. She is a phenomenal writer, who’s story telling ability keeps you hanging as you go page by page. Castillo has created a storyline and a cast of characters that draws the reader in and leave us craving more. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series, A Seal Always Wins.

This is a voluntary review of an advanced readers copy received from Netgalley. A copy of the review was posted earlier on Goodreads.

My first read by this author and the first in the Texas Navy Seal’s, A Seal Never Quits was just an ok start to this series for me. I enjoyed the mystery surrounding the story but found it hard to connect with Anya. I will read more as overall it is worth the read and as I would like to see where the author takes the series from here.

Good storyline and details. Main charactets personalities pop out. Sdventure and romance in one.
The author didnt fo bad at all. Especially the other characters complete the story.

Holly Castillo is a new author to me, and while the blurb for this book was intriguing, the story left me wondering what I missed. The plot had appeal; a group of Seals, undercover on a Texas ranch, and tasked with covert ops across the border, primarily to take down a drug cartel. But that’s where the high points end. Anya is employed as their veterinarian, and the attraction Stryker has for this woman is unfathomable. As a female lead she is boring, unappealing and forgettable; so what Stryker sees in her is definitely a mystery. While we all know that typical SEAL stories lead to the rescue of the heroine by the over-protective and Alpha male, she still usually has some kind of inner strength and resilience to capture his attention. This heroine (and I use the term lightly) has none of that going for her. Stryker as the Lieutenant of this group of fierce and loyal men, is likeable and accomplished, so I will definitely read book two, as I like the SEAL genre and the intrigue was good. I only hope the next heroine can hold her own.

Navy SEALs undercover on a Texas Ranch? Holly Castillo’s A SEAL NEVER QUITS has some action, some romance, a lot of secrets and some hot SEALs saddling up for danger and covert operations.

When their leader finds himself falling for the local veterinarian, their mission could be compromised if she discovers who he really is. The only problem is the heroine just didn’t come to life for me. I couldn’t believe in her as a fully functioning human, let alone a worthy love interest for the team leader, but I do see some major potential for the rest of the SEAL team in future books!

A quick read, light on depth, and maybe a not a love match made in readers’ heaven, but Holly Castillo does entertain with SEAL team interactions!

I received a complimentary ARC edition from Sourcebooks Casablanca!

Series: Texas Navy SEALS - Book 1
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (July 30, 2019)
Publication Date: July 30, 2019
Genre: Military Romance
Print Length: 352 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
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