Thank you so much to NetGalley and Montlake for the digital arc of The Soldier!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Oh how this book was so good! I enjoyed every single aspect of it! Chad and Britt’s chemistry was off the charts and I love the found family aspect. All I kept thinking was “oh man, we are going to get more books in the series since there are other brothers!!” ☺️ The twist throughout the story was predictable BUT also not predictable at the same time, which I thought was pretty awesome!

My only complaint was that the epilogue was a little different I felt like and touched more on I’m assuming the next book. It was good though and did make me excited for the next one! ☺️

Britt moved to Maine with her boyfriend, but one day he was gone. He left her in a place that she knows no one and has nothing.

Chad moved back home after being in the military to help out his family since his father passed away.

Britt accepts a job offer from the Young family that also includes a place to live. It is strange for Britt that since she just met Chad she is so comfortable with him, but she is oddly okay with it. The longer Britt stays in Maine the more her and Chad get along and spend time together.

When odd things begin to happen and Britt seems to be a target, Chad makes it his new mission to protect Britt no matter what.

I enjoyed reading this book by Susan Stoker. I haven’t read much by her, but her writing style and how she captivates an audience was amazing. I will definitely be going back and reading some more books by Susan!

Thank you NetGalley, Susan Stoker and Montlake for the ARC.

The Soldier by Susan Stoker is such a cozy, feel-good start to her new series, and honestly, I fell in love with Lobster Cove within the first few chapters—just like Britt did. The small seaside town vibe is so easy to picture, and it sets the perfect backdrop for Chad and Britt’s romance.

Chad, an ex-Army sniper, comes home after his father’s death to help his mom and brothers run things, and Britt is just trying to get back on her feet after a breakup that left her basically living out of her car. When their paths cross, sparks start flying in the sweetest, slow-burn way. I really loved how natural their connection felt—Chad is steady and loyal, and Britt brings a quiet strength that made me root for her right away. Their romance has just enough steam to keep things fun, but the heart of the story is definitely about family, healing, and second chances.

Speaking of family, Chad’s mom and brothers completely stole my heart. The lobster swing scene?? Adorable. Watching them let Britt in and treat her like one of their own warmed me up completely. And can we please get Evelyn’s recipes in real life? Because I would 100% line up for that.

A couple of things felt a bit predictable, and I would’ve loved a deeper dive into Chad’s military background. Some side stories—like Kash’s arc and the history between his mom and Lincoln—were left hanging, but I’m guessing those will show up in future books (and I am HERE for that). There’s also a light mystery thread that added just enough tension without taking away from the romance.

Overall, this book gave me small-town charm, a family I want to hang out with, and a romance that felt real and heartwarming. It’s a solid first book that left me smiling and excited for what’s coming next in the series. Bring on book two!

Britt and Chad were great together. As always, Susan Stoker's couples find each other fast and they stick together without the readers having to worry about an unnecessary break up. This one felt like there was a little less suspense but I loved the set up with the brothers. And who doesn't like a family that prioritizes the mother? Overall, I adored the set up, the environment, and the start of a fantastic series. The romance was good although I felt like that was a little too fast and underdeveloped. However, by the middle of the book, I was fully invested and I can't wait for the rest of the brothers to find love! Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the early read.

When their dad passes away, it is a no brainer for the four Young brothers return home to Lobster Cove in order to help their mom with the three businesses their parents own. Chad, a former sharp shooter in the military, is the one to return first.
While out doing errands Chad meets Britt, a woman in distress. Britt moved to Maine with her deadbeat boyfriend who left her stranded without money after just two weeks. She has had no luck finding a job. So when Chad offers her a job, and she talks to Chad’s mother, she gladly accepts a job helping with the rental cabins at Lobster Cove.
Chad and Britt are both living in the large main house and cross paths often. Therefore, it is not surprising that they catch feelings. Britt especially loves that she gets treated like family, something she never had growing, by the various people who work on the property. Despite the hard work she is falling, for not only Chad, but all things Lobster Cove. Unfortunately, not all is well there. There are some sinister things going on and Britt finds herself right in the middle of it all.
Lovely descriptive prose was the star in this book. It made me want to go visit the Maine coast. In the summer, of course. I enjoyed reading scenes, like the one with the rope swing, that enhanced that small town, tight family vibes this book exuded. Very well executed and the story gave me a lot of feels.
My only complaint (and it is minor) is the plot felt a little rushed. I would have preferred more of a slow burn to the love story. This would allow for more character development too. Of course, this is personal preference and there will be other readers that don’t care for the angst that goes with a slow burn plot. The rest of the plot worked well, I thought. The twist was not a big surprise but it did add to the tension and worked to kind of wrap things up.
In short, The Solider, is a cute story about found family and finding love when you least expect it. It is always a pleasure to read a book that checks a lot of boxes for me. Therefore, I can confidently recommend this one to anyone who likes a feel-good, small-town romance.
I received a copy of this book, via Net Galley, in exchange for my honest review. If you want to read more of my reviews, check out my book blog at www.thespineview.com.

While it wasn’t insta-love, the connection between Chad and Britt was fast, intense, and totally believable. Their trust in each other felt so genuine, and the found family vibes? Chef’s kiss. I’m obsessed with Chad’s family—four brothers, all in different branches of the military? Sign me up for the rest of this series.

The Maine setting almost made me want to take a winter vacation (and I hate winter). Also, now I want lobster. I originally was accepted for the ALC but reading it myself was just as good

3.25 stars

The first book in Stoker’s new series seems to be trying for more of a small town romance with the normal action/suspense happening in the background. While I do think this gives the book a much wider audience if readers are going in expecting the typical Susan Stoker experience they may be left unsatisfied. Have no fear there is still some danger and suspense but in a big change of pace for Stoker we see our FMC Britt pretty much rescue herself and solve all the big mysteries on her own with very little help from MMC Chad. Honestly the only time he really rescues her is right at the beginning where he helps her get a job at his family’s Inn. Whether this is a good or bad thing will fully depend on your preferences, I found it refreshing for a Stoker FMC to rescue herself from near doom but I do recognize that the big rescue scene is usually a major highlight of her books. I do think it dragged at times since we were missing a lot of the action we normally expect of her books but overall I think it was a relatively enjoyable read.

This is a typical Susan Stoker book - the main characters are both too good to be true and manage to fall in love like never before while beating the bad guys. Which sounds like a criticism, but since I keep reading them, its really not.

This may have as a good or even a great book if the meet up and romance build up had been a bit more believable.

But it's worth the read as the hero and heroine are both worthy, kind and smart. They just did not seem to click all the way together for me.

A nice setup for the series.

#TheSoldier #NetGalley

The Soldier, the first book in a new series by Author Susan Stoker, follows a family who returns home to help their mother manage the family businesses after the passing of their father. Each brother had served in a different branch of the military. This book centers around the oldest brother, Chad, as he returns home and eventually meets the woman of his dreams.

I’ve been a loyal reader of Susan Stoker’s novels for a while, and what truly sets her books apart is the depth and complexity of family/found family stories that transcend the typical protector romance. This particular book is no exception. The audiobook features the incredible Teddy Hamilton and Lucy Rivers, who deliver outstanding performances in bringing Chad and Britt to life. Chad and Britt are perfectly matched, and their connection is instantaneous, yet there’s a fun slow-burn to their romance as they get to know each other. Chad embodies the classic qualities of an older son, deeply devoted to supporting his mother and reuniting his brothers in Alpha Cove while continuing the legacy his family built. His heartwarming and swoon-worthy devotion makes him the perfect book boyfriend. While I enjoyed so much about this book, my favorite parts were Britt’s interactions with Chad’s mother. It’s evident where Chad’s strength and caring nature come from as his mother’s unwavering love and affection for all of them, including Britt, shine through. Overall, it’s a delightful read with just the right balance of spice and intrigue. Highly recommend it!

The Soldier is the first book in a brand new series by Susan Stoker. Unlike most of her books, this story isn't focused on a big bad villain who is threatening someone else (namely, the heroine). The brothers have all military backgrounds (is there a hero of SS who doesn't?), but the focus is on the family coming back together and trying to settle into their new lives. While there is romance in this story, I wouldn't classify it as such. This is more about family. So kinda like women's fiction, but with plenty of male point of view. Chad loves his mother deeply and I have to admit that it bothered me a little when he reached out to her first instead of Britt when both of them in danger. The whole story is about the Young brothers coming back to help their mother. But Britt fit into the family perfectly, and she was immediately adopted, so she seemed cool with everything. The romance was ok. It didn't blow my mind. However, I liked the story and I read it as fast as I could. Some of the secondary characters were very interesting.The second book might be about another couple, but I smell a romance between a certain Young brother and the daughter of (not so) bad neighbour who might have a heart.

This might not be your usual SS book, but I would recommend it and I think it's a good beginning for this new series.

I really enjoyed this first book in the Alpha Cove series.
When Chad leaves the military to help his mother with the family business the last thing he expects is to find the love of his life. That Britt is a very intuitive person, and quickly realises that all is not well with everything is another bonus.
A great read with plenty going on to keep you reading, and a few twist you least expect. If Britt and Chad’s mother can survive the nefarious plans for the both of them a HEA is on the horizon. Looking forward to the next three stories too.

THE SOLDIER Alpha Cove Book 1 by Susan Stoker
This is the first book of the newest series by Susan Stoker and it is a good one. This is the story of Chad Young and Britt Starkweather. They meet when he runs into a man browbeating her for sleeping on her car after her no good boyfriend absconded with all their money leaving her stuck with a big motel bill. Chad takes her home to meet his recently widowed mother and they offer her a job. This story brings plenty of romantic suspense, chemistry, and great secondary characters. This is a 5 star read.

A delightful start to the newest series by Susan Stoker! Loved the dynamics between the Young brothers—all former military men who return home to help their mother after the unexpected death of their father—and I’m excited to see what’s to come for them. Chad’s the first cab off the rank and he’s so swoony; kind, protective, charming, a Momma’s boy with an alpha edge, and just all around the kind of book boyfriend a girl wishes was real.

The female characters were great, too, with both Britt (the heroine) and Evelyn (the brothers’ mother) displaying grit and strength in spades. I liked that neither simpered or whimpered their way through the story, and although there was some repetition in Britt’s admiration for Evelyn, I couldn’t help but agree that she was a woman worth admiring.

Really fun, engaging read that sets up the next book in the series with the epilogue, so I’ll definitely be back for more!

I am not normally a military romance girly but I immediatly fell in love with Lobster Cove and the Young family.

It was an easy read that I enjoyed but I wish there would have been some more tension with the love interests, as insta-love is not typically my thing. Regardless, I enjoyed it and look forward to reading more!

Thanks to NetGalley for giving me an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Hot and steamy, original, enticing. I could not out this down and finished it in one night. It has angst, emotional depth, tension, the right amount if soice. Simply everything

DNF at 24%.
Just was not for me. I just found myself not wanting to pick it up.

Was well written but again just not for me.

Another solid outing from Susan Stoker. The first book in what I imagine will be a four book series about a family in rural main. Four brothers, all who served in various branches of the military, return home after their father’s passing to help their mom with the family property and businesses. The first sone to return, Chad, finds a woman, Britt, being harassed in a parking lot and quickly comes to her aid. After finding out that she is new in town, has been abandoned and robbed by her ex forcing her to sleep in her car, Chad brings her home where he and his mom promptly offer Britt a place to live and a job.

Britt is welcomed into the family fold in a way she never experienced growing up. The chemistry and connection between Britt and Chad is undeniable from the start, and as they fall for each other, Britt is also falling in love with the family. From a pain in the butt neighbor trying to buy their land to trouble with the businesses, the Young family has a lot to contend with, but they stick together and fight alongside one another to survive and overcome. It’s an inspiring story of the power of family in addition to being a sweet love story about the couple. Can’t wait for the next book in the series!

3.5 stars

I really enjoy Susan Stoker's brand of romantic suspsense. There is the perfect blend of story, suspense, and spice throughout this most recent book!

I really liked how the two MCs met and how Britt instantly fell for Lobster Cove. It seemed like the perfect little place to settle and it was sweet that Chad and his brothers all moved back home to be with their mom to help support her.

Overall this story was sweet and had a good storyline. It was a little predictable and maybe a little generic, but that didn't take away my enjoyment of it.

great setting and great characters immerse us right in deep in this new series. we are there we are ready and we are loving getting involved with these fab pair. a protective hero with a gruff but then heart of gold and a strong don't take no sh** heroine who give sup for no one but also has the softer and vulnerable side that just needs to be kept safe.
Britt and Chad land us hard with their connection. its felt, thud and we are all in. i liked how their connection was great but also never one sided. there was of course the moments one needed the other more, the scales more to one side. but they showed up for each other and better still beside each other. they were saving each other by fighting not only for but by the side of.
add to this romance was the things coming to light in the community which adds a whole other layer to it. you get more emotions and more suspense.
we get to see this small town cosy feels type setting which just adds such goodness to these novels. and the side characters all have their roles to play which are just as important and again adds another layer of richness to the plot and book as a whole.
the blend of characters make you eager to know more and i was definitely trying not to get excited of who i wanted to hear more from in other books to come. but by the end i couldn't help myself as this was a fab read and now i cant wait for more. i love getting involved and then able to get invested in a group. you get to follow them, get excited for them, and get to know them all more. and with each turn and time with the main focus on certain people it only adds more depth and heart to your reads.