Third Person Dual POV DNF at 35% 3/5 stars
This book is perfect for lovers of small-towns, close -knit and found families, and chaotic side characters.
We first meet ex-military Chad after he returns home to his small town for his fathers funeral. It's then, after seeing his mother and brothers for the first time in a while, that he decides to stay permanently. It's a few months later that, while helping to run the many small businesses that his family is known for, he meets our FMC Britt. She is staight up not having a good time at the beginning yet she doesn't let it deter her from having a positive attitude. Stranded and robbed by her sucky ex in a new town, she finds herself homeless when she meets Chad and that found family trope really kicks in.
I enjoyed what I read and the plot showed some awesome potential, however due to this being written in the third person I really struggled to engage with the story. This is why I DNF'd.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this free arc. All opinions are my own.

~ARC Review, thank you NetGalley & Montlake~

3.75 stars; rounding up to 4.

Within the first 50 pages, I was enamoured with Lobster Cove just like Britt.

‘The Soldier’ follows Chad (an ex Army Sniper) and his brothers (also ex military/coastguard) as they all come home to support their mother in the running of Lobster Cove following the death of their father.

Chad comes across Britt while running errands for his mother, who had moved to Maine with her (now) ex boyfriend and is living out of her car. Chad helps Britt with her car, and we go from here.

This is a cute small town romance, set in a picturesque seaside town which was easy to visualise.

Some parts of the story felt a little bit predictable, and I would have loved to have seen the military aspect of these characters explored a little more.

The lobster swing scene has my heart, seeing this family come together even after trauma and just have FUN, even Evelyn, warms my heart. I love that they initiated Britt here, and they treat her as one of their own.

I would have loved to have seen more from Kash and seen his story wrapped up after this. I’m very curious about his Mom and the past history with Lincoln and wish this was explored more, however appreciate this may come in further books- perhaps Lincoln’s book? Second chance love/old friends to lovers perhaps?

This is the first in a series, and it looks as though the next book will follow Zach and Marit, excited to see where this series goes!

Side note: I would like to experience Evelyn’s cooking.

Tropes:
~ Small town romance
~ Return to hometown
~ Slow burn
~ Found family

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake Publishing for an eARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a cute small town romance with some mystery thrown in. Things I liked:

- Banter between the brothers
- How close knit the family was
- How protective the MMC is
- Very strong and independent FMC
- The coastal Maine setting

I read this book pretty fast which means it definitely held my attention right from the beginning. A critique I have is during the spicy scenes (there were a few) some of the language used was cringy and personally it made me want to skip over them.

I think this is a decent start to what is clearly going to be an interconnected standalone series.

Susan Stoker returns to Maine in this new series, moving from the interior of the state in her last series to a rural coastal community. The Soldier begins with four brothers reuniting at their father’s funeral, having all served in various parts of the country with different military branches. At this time all brothers make the decision to return to their hometown to help their mother out with the various businesses that the family runs on their homestead of Lobster Cove. It is at this point that the story takes off, following second oldest son, Chad, as he settles into life in Rockville (a fictional version of Rockland) and meets Britt a woman down on her luck (having been recently abandoned by her boyfriend after moving across country with him).

This book differed from other Stoker stories in that is centered around a family, the matriarch at that, and the close bonds that families have - whether they are by blood or found. With this focus the story is more of contemporary romance than a romantic suspense as readers have come to expect with Susan Stoker’s books (fear not there is a suspense subplot!). This set a different tone for the story, but made it no less enjoyable.

The book was fast paced and teased other storylines for the continuing series. I particularly enjoyed the subtle references to the real-life town that this fictional community was based off of (Ruckus Donuts and the Lobster Festival!). I can’t wait to continue the series and see where the author takes the rest of the brothers on their journeys.

Oohhh I love it when Susan Stoker starts a new series. I know not only am I about to fall deeply in love with her hero’s, I’m going to admire the hell out of her heroines, I’m going to want desperately to visit the setting of the series and I’m going on a heck of a ride of a storyline

Chad and Britt were fantastic characters and their story was so fulfilling in so many ways. Whilst Britt absolutely came into this relationship needing help, she actually brings so much more to Lobster Cove than anyone expects, not least being the heart that Chad needs to complete his life and fulfill dreams he didn’t realise he had

A journey of excitement, thrill, romance and family this book is a most excellent must read

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book!
Releasing August 2025
So l have been a big Susan Stoker fan for years - her Seal of Protection series I loved. She always has such green flag MMCs and a little bit of innocent, traumatized but strong FMC - or as my mom would say, a little bit damsel in distress. But if you want a good comfortable easy read with spice and some insta attraction and love - this author is for you. Add in some twists of action and voila!
Chad (horrible name, I know) has just back to his hometown after his father unexpectedly passed away.
Deciding to move back and help his mother run lobster cove and all its business and to help her grieve and care for her. Chad being a former military man, is happy to take up the challenge. He even convinced his 3 other brothers to also move back home - all handsome, all with military history - I see a series and I love it. One day, Chad runs into a woman down on her luck and in a tough spot. Britt has had a tough month. Moving to a new town, struggling to find a job, her ex up and left her stranded and stole her money. But she is still determined to make her way and figure it out. When she gets an offer to take a job with lodging and help Chads mother run the cove and be a companion for her - it seems too good to be true. But with others having nefarious schemes in place and lobster cove and the family in danger - can the growing spark between Chad and Britt survive? Or will they be extinguished before they even start.

I have to say, this is an excellent new series so far. We have the expected: men who aren’t afraid to love hard, the loyalty between brothers (actual brothers this time) and their family, and the camaraderie that comes with time. We have a woman determined to beat the odds, which is helped by Chad meeting Britt at the right time, and Evelyn deciding yup, Britt is hers. And we definitely have the danger and a bit of mystery and the strength of being able to save yourself while waiting for the cavalry to arrive.

This is also a bit of a departure from what some readers think when they grab a Susan Stoker book. I don’t mean that in a bad way, either. Not at all. The brothers are all veterans, but this is far more about small town life and how you find your way than far-off battlefields or missions. She’s had others like this series, sure, but something about this one in particular is whispering that it’s going to throw you for a whirl or five. And I can’t wait for all of those loopdieloops to come my way!

Susan Stoker once again starts off a brand new series with a bang. Four brothers coming home after the death of their father to help their mother figure everything out. But with this first book in the series Chad gets his HEA and boy is it an emotional ride. Filled with the angst, steam and connection that are always felt in one of Ms. Stoker's books, she has also added in a family dynamic that will just make you swoon. Chad and Britt will start you heart pumping and you will be waiting with bated breath until the second story comes out. Bravo Ms. Stoker - Bravo!!

I love these characters!
Britt moved to Maine with her boyfriend who abandoned her and took all their money so now she’s living in her car while she looks for a job. A job she can’t find since it seems the locals and only hiring locals. But she determined. She loves it here!
Then she meets Chad who is her very own knight in shining armor. He helps her car run, finds her some place to live and work and intertwines her life with his mother’s. She’s so happy!
Then her and Chad start something more than friends…
They are perfect for each other!
I’m greatly looking forward to the next couple in this series!

This is a new series featuring four brothers who are in different branches of the military who all come home to a little coastal town in Maine following the death of their father. Chad defends Britt from a threat and then provides her with a job and accommodation with his mother and their attraction grows. However all is not as it appears and when Britt voices her concerns over an employee, trouble soon follows and we see how protective not only Chad is of his mum and Britt but how all the brothers have a protective streak. I really look forward to the rest of this series and watching the brothers fall in love.
With thanks to Netgalley and Montlake for the advanced copy of this book and this review is my own opinion.

I loved this book! It was slightly different to Susan Stoker's usual books in that it's about a family in a small town, but I like it when an author shakes things up a little. As usual, the book was well written, and the story flowed nicely. I loved the characters in particular Evelyn, who at 70 hadn't been stereotyped as being old and just waiting around to die. I loved how she was strong, hard working, and still having fun.

I also love the way that Susan Stoker threads hints through the storyline about which characters will be further developed as the series progresses. I'm really looking forward to reading Zack's story next.

The Soldier introduces the Young brothers of Lobster Cove, a close-knit, ex-military family reuniting in small-town Maine after the death of their father. As the first in a planned four-part series, this book sets the tone for a contemporary romance with themes of family, protection, and starting over.

Britt, newly stranded by an unreliable boyfriend, is offered a job and a place to stay on the Youngs’ property. Her growing connection with Chad, the oldest brother, is central to the story—but the romantic development felt quite accelerated. Readers who enjoy insta-love may appreciate the quick emotional bond, but for me, some early scenes (like hand-holding on their first day or declarations of her unique strength after only a few days) felt rushed and underdeveloped.

There are several classic small-town romance elements at play here—family dinners, protective heroes, and found family —but I found the contrast between Britt’s history and Chad’s somewhat uneven. While her trauma is explored in detail, Chad’s military background, including time as a sniper, is rarely examined beyond surface references. It’s an area where more depth could have added balance and richness to the relationship as well as realism to the story.

The story includes a light suspense subplot, but it leans heavily on clear-cut distinctions between “good” and “bad” characters, making the outcome fairly predictable. The conflict resolution in the final act also felt somewhat implausible.

That said, Susan Stoker’s writing is clean and accessible, and the setting—while limited mostly to the family’s property—has a pleasant coastal backdrop. Readers looking for a quick, low-angst romance with a strong sense of familial support and a protective male lead may find this a cozy, satisfying read.

Thank you Montlake and NetGalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What I enjoyed most about this book is that it's a 'found family,' and that's something I always, always, always love reading in books, especially when our protagonist needs it so much that sometimes I wanted to get inside the story and hug her.

I liked the development of the story, the characters, and how their stories unfold. Do I want to know more? Yes, of course, and I'm waiting for the next one (which is by another brother).

I don't feel entirely comfortable with some of the protagonist's points, like 'feeling empowered' by knowing how to perform oral sex... I don't think a woman's empowerment lies in making a man feel good. But that's not something that's fair to say about this book; I'm seeing it more and more in other books. This whole thing about being more of a woman, or feeling like you have the 'power,' I don't think it's about that... but this is my personal opinion on feminist issues.

Beyond that, the Young family is beautiful; I need to know more about each of them and their lives. And also about the protagonists Susan has to offer. I'm eager to know more, and of course I'll keep reading.

Thank you so much, Montlake, for the ARC I read on Netgalley, a change from an honest review.

Susan Stoker delivers again. I love Susan Stoker and have always enjoyed her series. However, I am pretty sure this new series will be my favorite. It is about four brothers who come back home after military careers. This first book of the Alpha Cove Series is the story of Britt and Chad and what a fun couple they are! Even though I enjoyed their story, the rest of the characters in the book are great and I cannot wait to read their stories!

I think I’m in love with Lobster Cove 😍

Overall this book as amazing! I love Chad and Britt they are absolutely adorable together. Something other readers will have to keep in mind is this is a fast paced romance. It’s sparks at first sight. Sometimes I love that, in this case I was perfectly content with the pace but others may not be.

Britt has a pretty unfortunate life just in general before Lobster Cove. My heart bled for her. But she found a life for herself with the Youngs. Chad is an easy going, ex military, heart on his sleeve type of guy. It’s pretty hard to not LOVE him. His ability to love is his most loveable quality.

I do think Susan could have leaned into the military aspect a little more. It wasn’t mentioned much in my opinion. I get that it’s not the point of the book but Britt opens up about her traumas a lot and it felt like we got almost nothing from Chad except his Dad died which everyone was coping with fair well considering.

I did love the plot and the twists really did have me on the edge! Also everything Lobsters is hilarious, I laughed every time something was called Lobster “thing”.

4.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this copy in exchange for an honest review!

The Soldier was such an enjoyable read from start to finish. I loved how well the characters were portrayed — Chad was an amazing hero who truly cared for his family, which made him so easy to love. Britt was strong and relatable, and together they had a believable and heartfelt connection.
The story kept me engaged the whole time and had a perfect mix of sweet moments and deeper emotions. I really appreciated how the author handled the family bonds and friendships too.
I’m excited to pick up the rest of this series and spend more time with these characters. Overall, a solid 4-star read that I’d recommend to romance fans!

I was luckily enough to receive The Soldier by Susan Stoker from NetGalley. Another hit, love her books. The book starts with four brothers from different branches of service at their father funeral. They return to their home town to help their mom. Will not give away more because spoilers! Great news it means at least three more books!

💘 Sweet Hero, Small Town Feels & Found Family Vibes 💘
The Soldier – 3.5⭐️ | 🌶️ Mild Spice | ARC via NetGalley

This was such a heartwarming start to a new series — small-town setting ✔️ military brothers ✔️ cinnamon roll MMC ✔️ and a sweet, slow-burn romance that felt earned.

Chad was steady, loyal, and such a softie under the soldier exterior 🫶 and Britt? Down on her luck but still strong and kind. I loved how his family just fully adopted her — especially Mama Young and Evelyn (new fave sassy elder character alert 👵✨).

The romance built slowly but naturally, with a little sprinkle of spice that felt just right for their vibe. The mystery/suspense element? A little undercooked if I’m honest — could’ve used a bit more tension or fleshing out to hit harder.

That said, this gave me all the warm fuzzies I wanted — found family, emotional healing, and small-town charm. I’m definitely keeping an eye out for the rest of the Young brothers 👀💙

This book is a breath of fresh air. Chad and Britt- no awkward instalove, no hate, just two characters who get to know each other and fall in love. Love it!

Chad’s family will obviously be the focus of the next books. I can’t wait to read about this special family. Men brought up with good parents and who love each other. How refreshing!

The setting was perfect. Susan Stokers made me want to move to Maine!

I have read a lot of Susan Stoker books and if you are a fan of her work, you are going to love The Soldier. It begins in Maine at the funeral of Chad Young's father. He and his three brothers join their mother to bury their beloved father and husband. Chad makes a decision, he's going to return home and live with his his mother and help her run the family business. His brothers also realize that life is short and they plan to do the same thing while also pursuing their dreams in Maine. At a chance meeting at a lumberyard parking lot, Chad meets Britt Starkweather. She ended up in Maine under different circumstances and now she's homeless and almost out of money. Chad offers her a safe haven. Come and live with his mother and assist her with the family business until she can get on her feet. Britt is apprehensive about doing this but she has no other options. As Britt gets to know Chad, his mother, brothers and Maine, she realizes that she may have finally found where she belongs. There is a slight suspense plot revolving around the Young family business but this is mostly a story about finding love where you least expect it. The Soldier was told from dual POV. It was syrupy sweet and had some heat. I prefer a lot more action but as I said, I'm sure that Susan Stoker readers will love the insta-love aspects of this story.